Miles Tellerhad been poised for a big summer with a starring turn oppositeTom CruiseinTop Gun: Maverickuntil the pandemic prompted Paramount to push the film to December. The high-flying sequel will now be offered as a Christmas present to audiences, so instead of doing press, Teller has been spending his summer reading scripts, and the actor has found a new one that offers him a juicy lead role.
Teller has signed on to produce and star in directorRupert Wainwright’s survival dramaNot Without Hope, based on the extraordinary true story of four men, including two NFL players, who went fishing 70 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico whose boat capsizes during a major storm, forcing them to fight to survive in freezing waters in the ultimate test of courage, strength, friendship and teamwork.
Teller will playNick Schuyler, who was in the boat with his best friendWill Bleakleyas well as NFL playersMarquis CooperandCorey Smith. Schuyler co-wrote the book of the same name withJere Longmanthat was adapted byE. Nicholas Mariani. Teller is producing the film under his Lime Tree Productions banner along withMichael Jeffersonof Volition Media Partners,Rick Frenchof Prix Productions, andColin Batesof Lucidity Entertainment, in association with Wainwright’s Adore Creative.Willie Kutnerwill also serve as a producer on the project along withHitesh Patelof Voyager Entertainment Group.
Not Without Hopealso boasts some well-known EPs, as Super Bowl and Grammy Award-winning coupleRussell WilsonandCiarawill executive produce via their production company Why Not You. They’re joined byJames Dyer,Andrea Bucko,Wes HullandDave Lugoand Goldfinch Entertainment’sKirsty BellandPhil McKenzie, in addition toAditya Jha,Mark FinleyandDaniel Brandtof Voyager, which is providing financing for the movie. Highland Film Group will launch international sales at the upcoming online Cannes Market, with CAA Media Finance handling the domestic rights.
“We are very excited to help bring this inspiring true story to the big screen. In today’s world of uncertainty, we definitely need feature films that are able to instill hope, courage and strength,” said Highland Film Group’s CEOArianne Fraser.
It’s funny, I was thinking of Teller just last night while I watchedThe Gene Krupa Storywith my Dad on TCM.Sal Mineostars as the legendary jazz drummer, and I couldn’t help but draw comparisons between his performance and Teller’s incredible turn inWhiplash– which really holds up as one of the best movies of the past decade. I remember when I was young reporter, I was either at Variety or TheWrap, I can’t remember, but I remember tracking theNicole KidmanmovieRabbit Hole. I recall being told that whoever landed that teenager role opposite Kidman had to be a pretty special actor, and would likely go on to become a star.
Sure enough, Teller went on to book a scene-stealing role in theFootlooseremake before graduating to leading man in the comedy21 & Overand the wonderful indieThe Spectacular Now, which only reinforced the potential he showed inRabbit Hole. After that cameWhiplash, and it was off to the races from there. Teller has starred in his share of box office disappointments since then, but he was remarkable once again inBleed for This, and turned in solid performances in films likeOnly the BraveandThank You for Your Service.
In addition to theTop Gunsequel, Teller will soon be seen inSean Penn’sFlag Day. We’ll have more on the actor later today, so stay tuned, andclick herefor the latestTop Gun: Mavericktrailer.
