A film adaptation of controversial novelist J.G. Ballard’s satirical science-fiction story HIGH RISE, has been attempted a number of times since its publication in 1975. Names such as DON’T LOOK NOW’s Nic Roeg and lately CUBE’s Vincenzo Natali have tried unsuccessfully to bring their own interpretation of the story to the big-screen. However, a new name is now attached and will bring his unique vision to Ballard’s usually bleak blend of storytelling.
The brilliant Brit Ben Wheatley, director of the awesomely twisted DOWN TERRACE, KILL LIST, SIGHTSEERS and most recently, A FIELD IN ENGLAND, will helm the film with a screenplay from frequent collaborator Amy Jump. Wheatley promises to be “true to Ballard” and confirms “It will be challenging like Cronenberg’s CRASH, but not as dark as KILL LIST. The book is pretty out there though!”
The main plot takes place in a supposedly gleaming new tower block, that’s an exciting and exotic home for its well-to-do residents. However, it soon ends up isolating and fabricating them into all-out violent war and tapping into their primal savagery.
Source: Empire
