EXCLUSIVE: UK director Jon Amiel has signed to direct upcoming feature Sands of Fortune which explores the story behind the discovery of oil in Saudi Arabia and the birth of the country’s petroleum and natural gas giant Aramco.
The feature, being put together by producer Uri Singer under his L.A.-based Passage Pictures banner, revolves around the real-life partnership between American geologist Max Steineke and Bedouin Khamis Bin Rimthan, who together discovered the country’s first oil well in 1938.
The script is written by Bernie Campbell, a long-time strategist and speechwriter who has spent years living in Saudi Arabia and was the first American to write for its ruling royal family.
Prolific director, writer and producer Amiel is best known internationally for the multi-award-winning series The Singing Detective as well as movies such as Sommersby, with Jodie Foster and Richard Gere; Copycat with Sigourney Weaver and Holly Hunter, and Entrapment with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones.
He also directed and produced episodes for shows including The Tudors, The Borgias, Halt and Catch Fire, American Gods and The Walking Dead.
“We are so excited to have Jon on board to direct and co-write this epic story – his vision brings a new depth to the film and his years of directing experience make him a perfect partner for this project,” said Singer.
Passage Pictures is producing with Saudi company Yellow Camel.
Singer’s recent credits include Noah Baumbach’s comedy-drama White Noise, while upcoming projects include adaptations of James Elroy’s Blood’s A Rover, with Jose Padilha directing, and Don DeLillo’s Underworld, with Ted Melfi writing and directing.
Uri Singer is represented by Knol Hanly PC. Amiel is represented by Echo Lake and Gersh.