The Russo Brothers are partnering with Warner Bros. to remake a beloved family drama film. The Avengers: Doomsday directors’ upcoming project is still in the early stages of development.
What Warner Bros. movie are the Avengers: Doomsday directors remaking?
The Russo Brothers’ AGBO Films is partnering with Warner Bros. to make a “reimagining” of the 1993 film Free Willy (via The Hollywood Reporter). Mary-Margaret Kunze and Jade Halley Bartlett will write its script. At the time of writing, no director has been announced for the film.
Kunze has previously worked as a producer on several Marvel television projects, including Netflix’s Daredevil, Cloak & Dagger, and Runaways. She also served as a co-executive producer on Netflix’s The Boroughs. Bartlett previously wrote 2024’s Miller’s Girl, which was also produced by Kunze.
The original Free Willy, directed by Simon Wincer, follows a young orphaned boy, Jesse (played by Jason James Richter), who befriends a whale at the amusement park where he works. The film sees Jesse embark on a quest to break Willy out of captivity after it refuses to cooperate with its trainer.
The movie received positive reviews, grossed more than $153 million worldwide, and spawned several sequels and a spin-off television series. Collectively, the franchise has grossed over $187 million, with the first film being the most well-liked.
This won’t be the first time that the franchise has been rebooted. 2010’s Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove followed a similar premise but switched several elements, like its protagonist.
The film will be produced by ABGO’s Angela Russo-Otstot, Michael Disco, and Kassee Whiting. Anthony and Joe Russo will executive produce the film. Lauren Shuler Donner and Courtney Baker are co-producing it.
The Free Willy reboot doesn’t have a release date.
Originally reported by Rahul Majumdar on ComingSoon.net.
