Sci-Fi Sensation: Glen Powell & Barry Jenkins Unite for ‘The Natural Order’

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Filmmaker Barry Jenkins, known for Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” and the Oscar-winning “Moonlight”, is partnering with popular actor Glen Powell, famous for his roles in “Twisters” and “Top Gun: Maverick”. They are collaborating on a large-scale science fiction thriller titled “The Natural Order“. Universal Pictures will distribute this film, with Jenkins slated to direct and Powell set to produce and appear in the movie.

The Natural Order” is a screenplay adaptation from an upcoming novel by Matt Aldrich, who will collaborate on the script with Jenkins. Notably, Aldrich has previously co-written movies like “Coco” for Disney and the 2018 drama “Spinning Man”. This forthcoming novel marks Aldrich’s debut in the literary world, promising a captivating high-concept sci-fi thriller exploring the quest for eternal life. For now, specific plot details are being kept confidential.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the upcoming movie will be the debut production of Barnstorm, the company of Powell and Dan Cohen. Just last month, they secured a first-look deal with Universal, paving the way for this exciting venture.

Joining forces in this production are Pastel, a production company helmed by Jenkins, Romanski, and Ceryak. Moreover, Jewerl Keats Ross, who played a significant role in uniting Jenkins, Aldrich, and Powell, is also in discussions to produce the film. This collaboration promises an enthralling cinematic experience!

In a departure from his previous roles, Powell isn’t new to the realm of science fiction. He’s currently collaborating with Edgar Wright, well-known for “Shaun of the Dead,” on a reinterpretation of Stephen King’s novel “The Running Man” published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Recently, Wright expressed excitement about casting Powell as the main character, likening his performance to Bruce Willis in “Die Hard.” With Powell’s rapidly ascending fame, it seems he may have a prolonged career in action, sci-fi, and other major blockbuster genres.

Barry Jenkins and the Sci-Fi Genre May Prove a Match Made in Heaven

As a passionate cinephile, I must confess that diving into grand-scale science fiction ventures is uncharted territory for me, having built my reputation on heartfelt low-budget indie films such as “Moonlight” and “If Beale Street Could Talk.” The idea of taking on a mainstream production like “Mufasa,” initially seemed so foreign that I almost declined without even glancing at the script. However, it was the encouragement of my fellow filmmaker partner, Lulu Wang, that finally convinced me to give this project a shot.

Moving forward, Jenkins delves into the world of science fiction, a realm where his knack for human drama can truly flourish. After all, compelling sci-fi stories are equally focused on character growth as they are on alien concepts – think of movies like “Blade Runner,” “Inception,” and “Ex Machina.” With the collective skills of Jenkins, Aldritch, and Powell at work, we can expect a production of similar quality.

At the moment, there isn’t a specified release date for “The Natural Order”, but it’s been mentioned that the team has been working on it for quite some time. So, there’s a possibility that we might get to watch the movie sooner than expected. On the other hand, “The Running Man” is scheduled to be released in cinemas on November 7 of this year. Given Powell’s busy schedule, there’s a chance he could take up “The Natural Order” as his next project, but only time and the potential delays associated with production will confirm that.

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2025-03-14 16:02