Filmmaker Niki Caro and Charlize Theron are teaming up to develop a feature film about women’s fight for equality in big wave surfing for Netflix.
The feature is based on Daniel Duane’s New York Times Magazine article, “The Fight For Gender Equality In One of the Most Dangerous Sports on Earth,” and the four women — Bianca Valenti, Andrea Moller, Paige Alms, Keala Kennelly — who are fighting for the right to compete in big-wave contests.
The four women form a powerful bond as they surf dangerous spots including California’s Maverick’s and Maui’s Jaws while asserting their right to join the male-dominated competitions.
Caro (“Whale Rider,” “Mulan”) will direct the film, from a screenplay adapted by Becky Johnston, which will focus on the four women’s stories and their powerful bond.
Caro will also produce the film adaptation alongside Theron, AJ Dix and Beth Kono for Denver and Delilah.
The “Mulan” director has a full schedule with Jennifer Lopez action thriller “The Mother,” based on “Leon, The Professional,” coming up for Netflix. In pre-production, Caro has the mini-series adaptation of bestselling rock ‘n’ roll novel “Daisy Jones & the Six” for Amazon and another bestseller adaptation, the period romance “Beautiful Ruins,” set at Amblin.
Theron has had a busy producing career in addition to her acting roles, with credits on TV series “Mindhunter” as well as “Atomic Blonde,” “Bombshell,” “The Old Guard” and the upcoming “Atomic Blonde 2.”
UTA, which brokered the deal for the adaptation, represents Caro, Duane and Johnston. Caro is also represented by attorney Linda Lichter. Johnston is also repped by attorney Erik Hyman.