Taika Waititi to Direct Film Adaptation of Deb Olin Unferth’s Novel ‘Barn 8’ with Jessica Gao Writing the Script
Searchlight Pictures to Adapt ‘Barn 8’ with Taika Waititi at the Helm:
Searchlight Pictures has announced that Taika Waititi will direct the film adaptation of Barn 8, a satirical novel by Deb Olin Unferth. Jessica Gao, known for her work on She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, will write the screenplay.
The project is being produced by Eric Robinson and Ellen Goldsmith-Vein of Gotham Group, alongside Waititi Productions’ Taika Waititi, Ishi Metkar, and Michelle Chan.
Set against the backdrop of a chicken farm, the novel follows two U.S. egg auditors who conspire to steal a million chickens, leading a group of activists on an audacious rescue mission. This narrative blends comedy and tragedy, exploring themes of animal rights and industrial farming, often through the eyes of the birds themselves.
The story evokes parallels to Morgan Spurlock’s documentary Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!, which highlighted the harsh realities of chicken farming. Spurlock’s film revealed shocking insights into the treatment of poultry and the misleading definitions of terms like “free range,” raising ethical questions about food production. With Waititi’s distinctive style, the adaptation may further delve into these critical issues.
Gotham Group’s Robinson and Goldsmith-Vein recently produced Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere and bring their expertise to this new project alongside Waititi and his team.
Oversight for production will be managed by Searchlight’s SVP Production Taylor Friedman and VP Production Pete Spencer. Representing the creators, Waititi is signed with CAA and Manage-ment, Gao is represented by UTA and 3 Arts, while Unferth is backed by Kassie Evashevski.
