Brad Pitt is set to embark on a gripping journey across Europe. The Hollywood veteran has signed on to star in The Riders, the long-gestating adaptation of Tim Winton’s acclaimed novel, with Edward Berger set to direct. The film is being backed by A24, known for steering ambitious projects with indie soul and Oscar aspirations.
Berger, whose resume now includes the haunting All Quiet on the Western Front and the papal drama Conclave, will bring his signature precision to a story that’s far more personal than political. Based on Winton’s 1994 Booker Prize-nominated novel, the film centers on a father whose life is upended when his wife vanishes without explanation — leaving him and their young daughter adrift across Europe in search of answers.
The project has had more false starts than a soggy Grand National. Names like Sam Worthington and Ronan Keating were once attached during the early 2010s, but nothing stuck. Now, with Berger directing and Pitt likely stepping into the lead role of Fred Scully, the long-delayed adaptation finally seems to be gaining real traction. Production is slated for early 2026.
Deadline reports that David Kajganich — known for moody screenplays like Bones and All and The Terror — is behind the script. He’s joined by a powerhouse producing lineup that includes Ridley Scott’s Scott Free, Pitt’s Plan B, and Berger’s Nine Hours. If the recent bidding war for the project is any indication, The Riders is shaping up to be one of A24’s most anticipated offerings.
While there’s no official confirmation on Pitt’s role, it’s hard not to imagine him as Scully — a man grasping at the fading outlines of his family and sanity. Casting is still underway for Jennifer, the missing wife, and Billie, the daughter left stunned into silence.
For Pitt, it’s another busy chapter. He’s set to appear in this summers F1, directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski, and will reunite with David Fincher for The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth, a Netflix-bound spinoff of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
A24, meanwhile, continues its mix of risks and rewards — The Riders might be its next big swing.
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