'Faster Than Horses': Ansel Elgort cast in Bear Grylls-produced survival thriller

Ansel Elgort, known for his roles in Baby Driver and Tokyo Vice, has signed on to play a marathon runner in Faster Than Horses, a survival thriller directed by documentary director James Erskine (Billie, The End of the Storm) and produced by survival expert Bear Grylls.

Ansel Elgort.

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The film, inspired by a true tale and based on an article by Hampton Sides, follows a former Olympic runner who strives to reclaim fame in the world's most difficult footrace, the Marathon des Sables, a series of back-to-back marathons across the Sahara Desert. When a severe sandstorm engulfs the race, he ends up alone in the Sahara Desert, fighting for survival for ten days.

Faster Than Horses is now in pre-production. Upgrade Productions, which handles foreign sales, will present the picture to international buyers at the American Film Market in Las Vegas next week. CAA Media Finance represents North American rights.

Erskine co-wrote the screenplay for Faster Than Horses with Michael Mul and Chris Mul. Grylls is producing through his The Natural Studios label, alongside Delbert Shoopman, Ben Grass, and Michael Pugliese of Running Tiger Films, and Stuart Sutherland of Celtic Arabia. Jonathan Kier and Matt Brodlie of Upgrade will serve as executive producers.

"Since first hearing this story, I've been mesmerized by it and am thrilled to now be bringing it to screen," said Erskine in a statement. He called the movie "a powerful story of struggle and redemption set against some of the most dramatic landscapes on earth."

"I've known this story for many years and am so excited to be a part of the team bringing it to life," Bear Grylls said in a statement. "Ansel's portrayal of a man facing impossible odds to survive, both physically and emotionally, will captivate audiences...""The story is incredible."

Ansel is represented by CAA, Brookside Artist Management, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich, Goodell, and Gellman. CAA represents Delbert Shoopman and Bear Grylls. James is represented by Curtis Brown and CAA.