Darren Aronofsky and Gillian Flynn Unite for a Dark, Twisty Erotic Thriller
Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn is penning a new erotic thriller with Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky producing — a prestige pairing primed for seductive danger and psychological bite.
Gillian Flynn and Darren Aronofsky are teaming up for an erotic thriller at Sony. If that combo makes your stomach do a little flip, same. Flynn writes scary-smart, morally gnarly stories; Aronofsky lives to push people off emotional cliffs. Sounds like a fun date night.
The project
Here’s what’s locked in: Flynn is writing the script, Aronofsky is producing, and the genre is being labeled an erotic thriller. That’s it. No logline, no cast, no title. The plot is being kept under wraps, which, given the names involved, weirdly feels like part of the pitch.
Who else is behind it
The production company 1.21 is on board, the same outfit behind the recent horror movie 'Together'. 1.21 was founded by Andrew Mittman, who is producing here. Kai Dolbashian and Darby Kealey are executive producing.
Why this pairing turns heads
Flynn’s brand is razor-edged domestic doom and unreliable everything. Aronofsky gave us 'Requiem for a Dream' and 'Black Swan', neither of which you casually rewatch on a Tuesday. Put those sensibilities in a so-called erotic thriller and, yes, we are probably headed somewhere dark and deeply uncomfortable. In a good way. Maybe.
Flynn’s screen streak (and what she’s juggling)
- Wrote the 'Gone Girl' movie screenplay after publishing the novel.
- Worked on an early 'Sharp Objects' script back when it was going to be a feature, before it became an HBO limited series.
- Did not write the 'Dark Places' film adaptation.
- Co-wrote Steve McQueen’s 2018 thriller 'Widows'.
- Created the Prime Video series 'Utopia'.
- Developing a film based on her short story 'The Grownup'.
- Developing a limited series version of 'Dark Places'.
- Collaborating with Tim Burton on a remake of 'Attack of the 50 Foot Woman'.
So yes, a fourth Flynn novel will probably happen someday, but clearly the film and TV slate is stacked.
Meanwhile, Aronofsky’s dance card
He’s also producing a horror film called 'Pendulum'. As for what he directs next, it could go one of two ways: a new take on 'Cujo' or a thriller titled 'Breakthrough' with Dwayne Johnson attached. We’ll see which one actually gets the green light first.
No timeline yet on Flynn and Aronofsky’s thriller, but once logline, casting, or literally any other detail drops, I’ll have it. For now, just know this: the vibe is likely to be twisted, seductive, and absolutely not chill.