Paul Greengrass has signed on to direct the film adaptation of T.J. Newman’s bestselling disaster novel Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421, Variety reports.
Newman’s novel, published in May by Avid Reader Press, tells the story of an airplane that crashes in the Pacific Ocean, trapping 12 passengers who must fight for survival as the air runs out. A rescue team is dispatched to try to save the survivors. In a starred review, a critic for Kirkus called the novel a “darned good thriller” and “a taut, gripping yarn. Not for the weak-kneed.”
Drowning became a New York Times bestseller after its release. It is the second novel from former flight attendant and bookseller Newman, who made her literary debut in 2021 with another airplane-themed thriller, Falling. Newman is working on a screenplay for a film adaptation of that novel.
Greengrass will also write and produce the film adaptation of Drowning. The English filmmaker is known for movies including Bloody Sunday, The Bourne Supremacy, United 93, and Captain Phillips. Newman is among the adaptation’s executive producers.
Newman confirmed the news of Greengrass directing the Drowning adaptation on Instagram, writing, “Thrilled to finally be able to share this amazing news. (!!!!!!!!!)”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
