Two of Hollywood’s biggest up-and-coming young actors may star together in an adaptation of Patrick Ness’ critically acclaimed young adult sci-fi book trilogy. Spider-Man: Homecoming’s Tom Holland is now in talks to join Chaos Walking which already stars Star Wars: Episode VIII’s Daisy Ridley.
The Hollywood Reporter had the exclusive scoop and said Holland is “in negotiations” to play “a boy forced to flee his town with his loyal dog and who comes a strange sight: a girl.” The “girl” is already being played by Ridley and if you’re wondering why she’d be a strange sight for the boy it’s because Chaos Walking’s premise involves germ warfare that has killed all women. All other living creatures can see and hear each other’s thoughts through something they call “the Noise.”
The series consists of three books, The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Ask and the Answer, and Monsters of Men so you can guess they’re aiming for at least a trilogy out of this. Ness’ other YA novel, A Monster Calls, was already adapted into a film by Focus Features this past year. Coincidentally it starred two other Star Wars universe actors Liam Neeson and Felicity Jones.
With Captain America: Civil War and Homecoming behind him, Holland still has a bit of work to do under his Disney/Marvel contract. THR didn’t give a timeline on when production might start (previous reports said they were aiming for a 2018 release) but Lionsgate will certainly have to juggle both stars’ busy schedules. The adaptation has a script by Charlie Kaufman and Jamie Linden and is set to be directed by Doug Liman.
