In a competitive situation, Greg Silverman and Jon Berg of Stampede Ventures have optioned the rights to screenwriter Ward Parry’s spec script, Mr. Croup, for an undisclosed sum. Matthew George’s Savvy Media Holdings, whose credits include lauded films such as Wind River and A Private War, will produce the film alongside Stampede Ventures’ Berg and Silverman.

Mr. Croup is an original spy-thriller franchise starter, inspired by the likes of James Bond and Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson’s character in Taken).  A mysterious recluse on a desolate island finds himself in the company of a 10-year-old girl after her boat capsizes offshore and he is called to save her. With her in his possession, he must come out of hiding and face his past as a secret agent for the British government.

Parry also penned Iron Mike, which is currently in pre-production and documents the famed Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas boxing match that occurred in Tokyo in 1990.

“Greg and I couldn’t be more excited to bring to the big screen a brand-new action hero”, said Jon Berg of Stampede Ventures.

Said Ward Parry, “Greg, Jon and Matthew have made some of the most definitive movies in the last 20 years and so I’m thrilled and honored to be working with them to bring Mr. Croup to the big screen.”

Savvy Media’s Matthew George said: “Ward is an amazing writer; he has created a truly memorable character in Mr. Croup. It’s an extremely timely project given that Croup still uses old-school techniques, he’s an analogue hero in a digital age.”

The film will go into production in 2021.

The deal was negotiated by Chris Bosco and Anna Pinar on behalf of Stampede Ventures, Kimberly Jaime of Jackoway Tyerman on behalf of Parry, and Jonathan Gardner on behalf of George.

Ward Parry is repped by ICM, Management 360 and Jackoway Tyerman.  Matthew George is represented by Cohen Gardner.