Pitt will play the novel’s protagonist Fred Scully. According to the book’s synopsis, “After traveling through Europe for two years, Scully and his wife Jennifer wind up in Ireland, and on a mystical whim of Jennifer’s, buy an old farmhouse which stands in the shadow of a castle. While Scully spends weeks alone renovating the old house, Jennifer returns to Australia to liquidate their assets. When Scully arrives at Shannon Airport to pick up Jennifer and their seven-year-old daughter, Billie, it is Billie who emerges—alone. There is no note, no explanation, not so much as a word from Jennifer, and the shock has left Billie speechless. In that instant, Scully’s life falls to pieces.”
Ridley Scott will serve as one of the producers on The Riders via his Scott Free banner. Scott, Kajganich, and Berger all worked together on The Terror (Berger directed several episodes, and Scott executive produced). According to Deadline, Kajganich brought Winton’s novel to Scott Free a decade ago with the potential for Scott to direct. But it ultimately ended up with Berger at the helm and Brad Pitt on board, which obviously caught the interest of A24; the distributor is said to have been “aggressive in its pursuit” of the project. Pitt will also produce via his Plan B banner. The actor will next be seen in the racing film F1 for Apple, and is set to star in the Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood spin-off for Netflix.