Ansel Elgort To Star In Survival Thriller ‘Faster Than Horses’ — AFM 

Ansel Elgort has signed on to star in the survival thriller Faster Than Horses. 

The flick will be directed by Emmy-nominee James Erskine and produced by British adventurer Bear Grylls.

The film, inspired by a true story and based on an article by Hampton Sides, follows a former Olympic runner who attempts a return to glory in the world’s toughest footrace — the Marathon des Sables —  which is a series of back-to-back marathons across the Sahara Desert. But when a devastating sandstorm engulfs the race, he finds himself lost in the Sahara Desert, locked in a ten-day battle not for victory, but for survival.

The film is currently in pre-production and will be presented to international distributors at AFM. Upgrade will handle international sales, with CAA Media Finance repping North American rights.

The script was penned by Michael Mul, Chris Mul, and Erskine, with Grylls producing through his The Natural Studios outfit alongside Emmy Award-winning partner Delbert Shoopman, Ben Grass, Michael Pugliese of Running Tiger Films, and Stuart Sutherland of Celtic Arabia. Jonathan Kier and Matt Brodlie from Upgrade will serve as Executive Producers.

“I’ve known this story for many years and am so excited to be part of the team bringing it to life,” Grylls said. “Working with Ansel to give him insight for the role and adding authenticity to his performance has been so rewarding. Ansel’s portrayal of a man fighting against impossible odds to survive, both physically and emotionally, will grip audiences. The story is mind-blowing.”

Erskine added: “Since first hearing this story, I’ve been mesmerized by it and am thrilled to now be bringing it to screen. Demanding a total immersive performance, I know Ansel will be utterly brilliant in telling this story of a man battling to survive against all the odds, a powerful story of struggle and redemption set against some of the most dramatic landscapes on earth.”

Ansel is repped by CAA, Brookside Artist Management and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich, Goodell & Gellman

Delbert Shoopman and Bear Grylls are all represented by CAA. Erskine is represented by Curtis Brown and CAA.