When it was announced that Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan and actor Brandon Sklenar (of 1923) were teaming up again, fans of gritty, high-stakes storytelling immediately took notice. Their next collaboration? A long-gestating action thriller titled Fast — a project nearly a decade in the making that is finally racing toward the big screen.
A Fast Start… Years in the Making
While the title may suggest speed, Fast took the slow road to realization. Sheridan first wrote the screenplay in the mid-2010s, a period when he was already gaining major recognition as a screenwriter behind critically acclaimed films like Sicario and Hell or High Water. Warner Bros. (then under Time Warner) picked up the project in 2018, and at one point, Chris Pratt was reportedly circling the lead. Sheridan even planned to direct it himself.
However, industry shakeups quickly stalled progress. Warner Bros.’ shift in leadership under AT&T and the global pandemic led to budget concerns. The studio balked at the film’s estimated $60–$70 million price tag, especially in an era leaning heavily toward streaming. With theaters shuttered and streaming prioritized, Fast was shelved and eventually placed into turnaround. Amazon considered picking it up, but nothing materialized — until now.
The Team Behind the Wheel
Now under Warner Bros. Discovery, Fast is back on track with a powerhouse team in place. Brandon Sklenar, who earned critical praise for his performance in 1923, is officially set to star. Ben Richardson, the visionary cinematographer behind 1923, The Fault in Our Stars, and Beasts of the Southern Wild, will make his feature directorial debut.
Richardson’s appointment is particularly exciting. Though not a household name, his visual storytelling has helped shape the tone of some of Sheridan’s most cinematic work. His promotion to director suggests Fast will have not only scale but depth.
A Hollywood Power Play
Bringing this film back from development limbo wasn’t easy, especially with Taylor Sheridan under an exclusive contract with Paramount — home to Yellowstone, Tulsa King, Lioness, and his ever-expanding TV empire. But Warner Bros. Discovery made Fast a top priority. CEO David Zaslav personally pushed for the film, and negotiations are underway to carve out an exception in Sheridan’s Paramount deal that will allow him to serve as writer and producer.
The production is also backed by David Heyman and Jeffrey Clifford of Heyday Films (best known for the Harry Potter franchise), with Jenny Wood of Boss Granch Productions in talks to join the producing team. It’s a stacked lineup — creatively and commercially.
A Case Study in Modern Hollywood
Fast is more than just a high-octane thriller — it’s a case study in how the film industry is adapting to seismic changes. From ownership shifts and pandemic-related delays to theatrical vs. streaming debates, this project has seen it all. And now, it’s poised to reflect not only Sheridan’s evolution as a creator but also the industry’s renewed interest in big-screen spectacle.
Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group heads Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy summed it up best:
“The breadth of Taylor Sheridan’s body of work is simply astounding and unparalleled in sheer excellence and consistent quality. With the hugely talented Ben Richardson behind the camera and the exceptional producing talents of Heyday Films and Boss Granch, we are thrilled to bring Fast to the big screen.”
