Primal Fear, the 1993 novel by William Diehl that was adapted into a 1996 movie starring Richard Gere and Ed Norton, is being developed for the stage by Bill Kenwright Ltd., Deadline reported. The show is aiming for a 2027 launch in London's West End and ideally a subsequent run on Broadway.
Bill Kenwright Ltd. struck the deal with literary manager-producer Ken Atchity, representing the literary estate of author Diehl. Atchity will serve as executive producer along with Diehl literary estate managing partner Michael A. Simpson.
"Primal Fear is one of the great legal thrillers of our time, with all the ingredients to be a major theatrical event," said David Gilbery, CEO of the Bill Kenwright Group, calling the work "a gripping, brilliantly constructed story with real depth and a great twist. At the heart of it is the extraordinary character of Aaron Stampler--memorably brought to life by Ed Norton in the film adaptation. I can't wait for audiences to experience this story for the first time on stage."