In a thrilling development, Deadline has unveiled that the talented duo known as the Spierig Brothers, Michael and Peter, are embarking on an innovative retelling of the legendary headless horseman narrative in their forthcoming film, Headless. Celebrated for their past works, which include titles like Daybreakers, Jigsaw, and Winchester, the brothers plan to blend cinematic inspiration from classics like Mad Max and The Terminator into their fresh adaptation. Conveniently, the film will be shot in Australia, reminiscent of the iconic settings featured in the Mad Max series.
The storyline promises to be riveting: it centers on a wayward hitchhiker and a relentless woman united in their quest to confront a terrifying, motorcycle-riding specter—an otherworldly presence that thrives on chaos and destruction along barren highways. Together, they must devise a plan to sever this malevolent figure’s head, ensuring it’s housed far from its animated body to prevent further devastation. The screenplay is crafted by Shane Armstrong and S.P. Krause, both of whom previously worked on The Contents. The film’s production is under the skilled leadership of Chris Brown from Picture in Paradise, with Martin Metz from Rosewood Pictures and Diana Le Dean also on board, bolstered by support from Screen Queensland.
Altitude Films will handle international sales and has plans to present the film at the Cannes Film Festival imminently. Additionally, Rialto has obtained distribution rights for Australia and New Zealand, signifying robust local interest in this project. Filming is expected to kick off later this year, promising a thrilling cinematic adventure ahead.
Alongside their work on Headless, the Spierig Brothers have also taken on direction for Netflix’s sequel to Fall. Capstone Studios’ CEO, Christian Mercuri, confirmed that the upcoming movie, titled Fall 2, will be brought to life under the direction of the Spierig siblings. Mercuri will produce the film alongside Mark Lane and James Harris of Tea Shop Productions, as well as David Haring and Scott Mann from the Flawless production team. The Spierig Brothers shared their excitement, stating, “We’re extremely excited to helm the second installment of this franchise and bring to life another nail-biting, vertigo-inducing thrill ride.”
Complementing this sentiment, Mann expressed his pride in handing over the project to the Spierig Brothers, remarking, “I am so proud to hand over the reins to the Spierigs, two highly respected genre directors whose addition will undoubtedly make this follow-up even more of a must-see experience than we already knew it would be. I can’t wait for Flawless to work alongside them, and the rest of our fantastic filmmaking team, to take the Fall franchise to epic new heights.” While plot and character specifics remain under wraps, it has been confirmed that both Fall 2 and a planned third installment will carry forward characters from the original while also introducing new faces to enrich the storyline. Mann has co-written the script for Fall 2 with Jonathan Frank, who was also involved in the first film.
A recent press release has highlighted the Spierig Brothers’ remarkable accomplishments, which include notable films like Winchester, featuring Helen Mirren, and the acclaimed entry in the Saw franchise, Jigsaw. Their diverse filmography also includes Daybreakers starring Ethan Hawke and the thought-provoking Predestination, showcasing their range and storytelling prowess, along with the award-winning horror film Undead.
