Hollywood is buzzing after Universal Pictures dropped a bombshell: Glen Powell and Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins are teaming up for a top-secret movie adaptation of Matt Aldrich’s upcoming sci-fi novel, The Natural Order. The project, kept under wraps for months, promises to blend Powell’s blockbuster charm with Jenkins’ visionary storytelling – and fans are already calling it a must-watch.
Sources reveal the film will dive into Aldrich’s futuristic world, described as a “mind-bending mix of Inception and Black Mirror,” though plot specifics remain tightly guarded. Aldrich, known for co-writing hits like Coco and Creed, has teased the novel as a “story about humanity’s last stand against its own creations,” sparking theories about AI rebellions and dystopian chaos.
Glen Powell, fresh off Top Gun: Maverick and Hit Man, is reportedly in talks to star as the lead, though his role is still a mystery. Meanwhile, Jenkins – who brought us Moonlight and The Underground Railroad – will direct, marking his first foray into big-budget sci-fi. “This is a genre I’ve always wanted to explore,” Jenkins shared in a recent interview. “Matt’s story isn’t just about spectacle; it’s deeply human. That’s what hooked me.”
Universal is betting big on the project, fast-tracking development to capitalize on Powell’s rising star power and Jenkins’ critical acclaim. Industry insiders say the studio sees The Natural Order as a potential franchise-starter, with early buzz comparing it to Arrival and Blade Runner 2049.
But what’s the book about? Aldrich’s novel, set to publish in early 2025, follows a fractured society grappling with a mysterious force that’s rewriting the laws of nature. Think time-bending twists, moral dilemmas, and epic visuals. With Jenkins at the helm and Powell likely in the driver’s seat, expectations are sky-high.
Fans took to social media to freak out over the news, with one user tweeting, “Glen Powell in a sci-fi thriller directed by Barry Jenkins? UNIVERSAL, TAKE MY MONEY NOW.”
Stay tuned for more updates – because if this trio’s track record is any clue, The Natural Order might just redefine sci-fi cinema.