Ben Wheatley talks plans for his adaptation of High Rise

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Back in August of last year we told you about KILL LIST and SIGHTSEERS director Ben Wheatley's plans to take the helm on a long-gestating adaptation of J.G. Ballard's HIGH RISE, and now Wheatley has spoken out about his vision for the film and what we can expect to see.

Currently on the press circuit, talking both A FIELD IN ENGLAND and his directing duty on "Doctor Who", Wheatley has revealed first word on what to expect from he and screenwriter Amy Jump’s vision.

Speaking to io9 about the adaptation, the KILL LIST director announced he’s already begun filming the upcoming picture and that previous incarnations—most notably the one Vincenzo Natali was to helm—will not inform this one, stating…

“We’ve gone back and Amy [Jump]‘s written a script that’s very close to the book. It’s set in 1975."

He then adds that the book is notable for being 'dark' and that he'll be keeping those dark undertones, adding…

I'll be going straight back to the dark shit. "

Wheatley has already begun work on HIGH RISE and recently shot out the following tweet and picture:

Commenting further on the design and period setting, Wheatley adds…

“…it’s going to look like the 70s. It’s going to be very styled in that way. We’re looking at the Ridley Scott adverts of that period. It’s going to be modern in a way that the 70s looked. In a way that, ‘I don’t know what the future looks like anymore,’ which is quite funny. We’re already in Buck Rogers land now. Aren’t we? We’ve all got phones, it’s not that exciting. But back then they had a real idea of what the future was going to be like, and it was much more stylish.”

I can't wait to see what kinda madness Wheatley brings with HIGH RISE, which is said to be a ‘faithful’ adaptation of Ballard’s unnerving 1975 novel about life in a modern tower block spiralling out of control.

Set in a luxury high-rise building, the book follows a group of affluent tenants hell-bent on an orgy of destruction. Cocktail parties degenerate into marauding attacks on ‘enemy’ floors and the once-luxurious amenities become an arena for technological mayhem.

Human society slips into violent reverse as the inhabitants of the ultra-modern high-rise, driven by primal urges, recreate a world ruled by the laws of the jungle.

More on HIGH RISE as we hear it.