Cary Fukunaga to direct, produce untitled father-son drama from Brokeback writers

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Published on April 30, 2015 05:16PM EDT

True Detective’s Cary Fukunaga will develop and direct an untitled fact-based drama written by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, the Oscar-winning team from Brokeback Mountain.

The project centers on Jadin Bell, a 15-year-old openly gay sophomore from Oregon who committed suicide after being bullied in high school. After the tragedy, his father, Joe, worked through his remorse and grief by walking across the country, promoting awareness about the consequences of prejudice.

Fukunaga, who won an Emmy for directing True Detective, directed the upcoming war drama Beasts of No Nation and is currently working on the two-part adaptation of Stephen King’s It. This is the first project to be developed from script to screen by A24. “Joe and Jadin Bell’s story is a poignant reminder of how precious life is, and a life-affirming example of love transcending the prejudice and victimization familiar to many,” said A24, in a press release. “Cary is a truly exceptional filmmaker. We are honored to help bring his vision of this incredible true story to screen. With the legendary talents of Larry and Diana writing the script, we have no doubt this will be a profoundly emotional and unforgettable film.”

The untitled project is McMurtry and Ossana’s first feature screenplay since winning the Oscar in 2006 for Brokeback Mountain.