“All Quiet on the Western Front” director Ed Berger is set to direct a Kurt Vonnegut drama that is currently attached to executive produce with Oscar Isaac at Amazon Studios, a person with knowledge confirms to TheWrap. .
The series, currently titled “Helltown,” will focus on the acclaimed author’s journey before fame in the eight-episode crime series, based on the book of the same name by Casey Sherman, who will also executive produce.
The official logline reads: “In 1969, Kurt was a struggling novelist and car salesman living on Cape Cod with his wife and five children. When two women disappear and are later found murdered beneath sand dunes on the outskirts of Provincetown, Kurt becomes obsessed and becomes embroiled in a chilling hunt for a serial killer and the prime suspect. Creates a dangerous bond.
deadline too informed of Isaacs is in talks to play Vonnegut alongside his duties as executive producer.
Coming from Team Downey, Mad Gene and Amazon Studios, “Severance” co-executive producer Mohammed Al Masri will serve as producer, showrunner and writer alongside executive producers Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, Casey Sherman, Amanda Burrell, who produce for the executive producer. Team Downey and Oscar Isaac and Gena Konstantinoskos, who are executive producers for Mad Jean.
The news comes just a day after Berger’s acclaimed “All Quiet” won four Academy Awards, including Best International Feature, Best Original Score, Best Production Design and Best Cinematography.
Berger is replaced by Range Media Partners, CAA and Caserotto Ramsay & Associates; Isaac is represented by WME, The Lede Company and Goodman, Geno, Schenkman, Smelkinson + Christopher, and El Masri is repped by UTA/Anonymous Content/Jacoway Austen Tyerman.