Danny Boyle to Tell Mountain Survival Story

Published by Jeff Leins on November 9, 2009

Fox Searchlight and director Danny Boyle have worked out a deal for their next collaboration and the anticipated follow-up to Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire.

Titled 127 Hours, the film will tell the survival story of mountain climber Aron Ralston who had his right arm pinned under a rock for five days.  He ultimately used a dull knife to amputate the limb and crawl to safety.  It’s expected for a late 2010 release, presumably for awards season.

Boyle plans to direct and has already written a treatment, but Slumdog screenwriter Simon Beaufoy will re-team with him to flesh out the script.  The director is considering options for Ralston, but so far only Ryan Gosling has been named in rumors, according to Variety.

In an interview with indiewire, Boyle said he wants to shoot the first hour entirely free of dialogue.  Ralston was climbing alone during the 2003 incident, so there won’t be any witty exchanges added in.  That’s a bold move, but Wall-E proved it was possible with the right talent involved.  Certainly Boyle has it and Gosling would be an excellent choice to saw his own arm off.

Video of Ralston describing the amputation. May be disturbing for children under 2: