A bestselling dark romance is heading to the big screen. Amazon MGM Studios has picked up the feature package Butcher & Blackbird, based on the bestselling novel by Brynne Weaver, and will release the film worldwide on Prime Video. Chris McKay is set to direct, with Emma Laird and Thomas Doherty starring.
Emma Laird and Thomas Doherty (Credits: Getty/Sandro)
Inside the Butcher & Blackbird Movie Deal
Lyrical Media and Embrace have sold the feature package to Amazon MGM Studios, landing the adaptation a home for worldwide streaming on Prime Video. The story is a dark romance centered on two rival serial killers — a premise that made Weaver’s novel a breakout hit with readers of the genre.
The acquisition marks another aggressive move by Amazon MGM Studios into book adaptations, following the studio’s push to lock down popular literary properties with built-in audiences.
Chris McKay to Direct, Emma Laird and Thomas Doherty to Star
McKay, the filmmaker behind Amazon’s Chris Pratt sci-fi actioner The Tomorrow War, brings blockbuster experience to the romance. Laird and Doherty take the two lead roles, playing the rival killers whose twisted connection drives the story.
The script comes from Laura Kosann, with revisions by Ari Berkowitz and Ava Tramer. Lyrical Media’s Alexander Black and Embrace will produce, while Weaver and McKay executive produce alongside Lyrical Media’s Arlen Konopaki, Jon Rosenberg and Jonathan Faust.
Butcher & Blackbird Release Date
No release date has been announced yet, but the project is positioned as a worldwide Prime Video release. With the director and stars now set, production details and casting of supporting roles are expected to follow.
Fans of the novel have been waiting for an adaptation, and landing a studio of Amazon MGM’s scale suggests this one is being built as a major streaming title.
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Source: Deadline — read the full story there.
