EXCLUSIVE: In November, we reported that Gavin O’Connor (Warrior, The Way Back) would be directing Running for Apple Original Films. And now, we can tell you that rising English actor Spike Fearn (Alien: Romulus) has landed the lead role.
In early development as of last fall, Running has now been greenlighted, sources said.
Based on an original story by O’Connor, and a screenplay written by Ozark‘s Bill Dubuque, the film follows a homeless high school running prodigy on the hunt for greatness as he uses his gifts to outrun his past and find a family.
Speaking to the origins of the film, O’Connor told us that as someone who lives in Los Angeles, “I started thinking about building a story around a homeless kid who doesn’t have a place in the world. No love. No friends. No family. The only home he knows is the streets. It felt like a great place to begin a character’s journey and tell an underdog story about the human spirit.”
Apple Studios will serve as the studio, with Apple Studios and Makeready producing.
Emerging in recent years as one of the most in-demand young actors in town, Fearn has had a swift ascent into leading man territory after breaking into film with small roles in the likes of The Batman. Best known for turns in Fede Álvarez’s 2024 summer hit Alien: Romulus, which grossed over $350 million worldwide, as well as Charlotte Wells’ Cannes darling Aftersun, he’ll next be seen headlining the Searchlight drama Sweetsick opposite Cate Blanchett, as well as the Focus/Working Title rom-com Finding Emily, opposite Angourie Rice.
Fearn is repped by UTA, B-Side Management, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
