Charlize TheronandNiki Caroare currently in the process of developing a feature film about female surfers for Netflix, with Theron’s production company Denver and Delilah backing the project. The film will be based on theNew York Times Magazinearticle called “The Fight for Gender Equality in One of the Most Dangerous Sports on Earth.” Written byDaniel Duane, the article expounds on the lack of gender equality in big-wave surfing, and the real-life women who are fighting for inclusivity,Bianca Valenti,Andrea Moller,Paige Alms, andKeala Kennelly.
Most surfing movies that come to mind are more light-hearted or action-oriented flicks likePoint BreakorJohnny Tsunami, and most of these films also feature only male characters as the surfers. There are two notable exceptions that come to mind, both more about sharks than anything else — 2011’sSoul SurferandThe ShallowswithBlake Lively. Theron and Caro’s film will be decidedly different, focusing on four women who come together as they fight for the right to compete in big-wave contests in a script written byBecky Johnston.
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The currently untitled surfer film has a dynamic creative team with Theron, Caro, and Johnston, the latter of whom is credited with the screenplays forThe Prince of TidesandSeven Years in Tibet. Caro is just coming off Disney’s live-action adaptation ofMulan, and has also directedThe Zookeeper’s Wife,Whale Rider, andNorth Country(also starring Theron). Caro can next be seen directing and executive producing Amazon’s adaptation of the bestselling novelDaisy Jones & The Six.
Here’s hoping that Theron stars as one of the female characters in the movie, as the physicality of the sport and the emotional intensity of the story is sure to be right up her alley. Theron can soon be seen in theaters as Cipher inF9, and is also currently filming Netflix’sThe School for Good and Evilasthe dean of the school of evil. She is also attached to the sequelThe Addams Family 2as Morticia Addams, as well as a number of other projects as a producer.
No other news is known about the big-wave project as of yet, but we’ll keep you up-to-date on future announcements.
