Director Edward Berger brings Brad Pitt in front of the camera

Oscar winner Edward Berger (55) and Hollywood star Brad Pitt (61, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood") are planning a joint project. Production company A24 has acquired the rights to the drama "The Riders," with Berger as director and Pitt as the lead actor, according to several US industry publications. A24 posted a link on the platform X.

The 1996 book of the same name was written by Australian author Tim Winton. The story revolves around a man who, after an extended trip through Europe, wants to move from Australia to Ireland with his family. But when the husband goes to pick up his wife and daughter at the airport in Ireland, the child is alone. Together they embark on a search to explain the woman's disappearance.

According to Variety, "The Riders" is scheduled to be filmed in several European locations in early 2026. The screenplay was written by US author David Kajganich, who wrote films such as "Invasion," "Suspiria," and "Bones and All."

Brad Pitt will be playing a Formula 1 driver in the film "F1," directed by Joseph Kosinski, which will be released in theaters at the end of June. Berger recently brought Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton in front of the camera for the as-yet-unreleased Netflix production "The Ballad of a Small Player."

Berger's film "Conclave" (2024) has taken on dramatic relevance in light of the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. Based on a best-selling book by Robert Harris ("Fatherland"), the Vatican thriller revolves around the election of a new pope. The lead actors include Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci.

RND/dpa