Jim Sheridan Mounts Equestrian Epic ‘King of the Wind,’ Road Dramedy ‘Into Africa and Out’ (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Ben Croll Irish auteur Jim Sheridan will direct the equestrian epic “King of the Wind,” an historical drama about an 18th century Arabian colt that would go on to sire the modern thoroughbred bloodline.

Produced by Alan Moloney (“Small Things Like These”) and Gary Levinsohn (“Saving Private Ryan”) and adapted by Sheridan from Marguerite Henry’s eponymous novel, the film retraces the path of the so-called Darley stallion from the stables of the Moroccan sultan through to the courts of England and France.

The filmmaker aims to shoot the project in the Middle East and North Africa, and will start scouting early next year. While the true story had previously inspired Henry’s Newbery-winning novel and later a Richard Harris-led film, this latest outing promises a unique slant tied to the underexplored perspective of the horse itself. “It’s very hard to humanize or to actualize an animal,” says Sheridan. “I’m looking to make an animal human in a way, trying to access [it as you would an actor].

I’m very fascinated with trying to do that. Why? I don’t know.” With production now wrapped on his true crime chamber drama “Re-creation” – and with that Vicky Krieps-led film angling for a 2025 festival premiere – Sheridan is busy developing a handful of new projects.