We’ve seen many cinematographers transition to directing over the years. Barry Sonnenfeld, Zhang Yimou, Janusz Kaminski… Next to make the jump is Silence cinematographer and double Oscar nominee, Rodrigo Prieto, with upcoming revenge thriller, Bastard. He won’t be the only Academy Awards regular on this project, though, as Topic (formerly Spotlight production company, First Look Media) are set to finance. La La Land’s Jordan Horowitz is also producing, with Martin Scorsese and Emma Tillinger Koskoff aboard as executive producers.
The original script, written by Bill Gullo (Shadow Walkers), focuses on the small town of Bird’s Point, Missouri, as it awaits an inevitable flood. “Rodrigo’s work as a cinematographer has consistently floored me, and putting him behind the camera to direct Bill’s absorbing script has all the ingredients for truly thrilling cinema”, Horowitz told The Hollywood Reporter.
Prieto originally made his way as a cinematographer for Alejandro González Iñárritu, working with his fellow countryman on Amores Perros, 21 Grams and Babel. Most recently he has been a part of Scorsese’s inner circle, manning the camera on The Wolf Of Wall Street and the aforementioned Silence, for which he earned his second Oscar nomination.
This won’t be the first time Prieto has directed, however, having written and directed 2013 short Likeness, starring Elle Fanning.
Prieto is currently working with Scorsese on The Irishman, due next year.