From prolific screenwriter Peter Morgan (360, HEREAFTER, FROST/NIXON), the film according to Variety “centers on Niki Lauda, the Austrian three-time F1 champion who nearly died in a fiery crash in 1976, only to emerge six weeks later, still nursing severe burns on his face and head, to pursue his rivalry with fellow driver James Hunt.” The film will be financed by Cross Creek Pictures who’ve already met with great success thanks to their gamble on Darren Aronofsky’s BLACK SWAN.
Howard appears to be keeping his directing options open. This, of course, amid news that Universal is stalling on the rather ambitious DARK TOWER adaption over budgetary and creative reasons. In an interview yesterday with Deadline however, Howard and producer Brian Grazer showed optimism that the the multi-medium Stephen King adaptation would continue to move forward, albeit slowly.