Danny Boyle Getting His Mountain Climbing Gear on For 127 HOURS

Director Danny Boyle is going to have to trade that Oscar in for a pickax, and, if I had any skills in Photoshop, whatsoever, I would’ve replaced it myself.  Variety is reporting that the now Academy Award winning director has officially signed on to direct 127 HOURS for Fox Searchlight.  With Simon Beaufoy on hand to script and Christian Colson producing, this means a return of the creative team behind SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.

The film will tell the harrowing story of mountaineer Aron Ralston, who, in 2003, got his right forearm pinned under a boulder.  He spent five days trapped while slowly amputating his arm with a dull knife.  After freeing himself, he climbed a 65-foot wall and was later rescued by helicopters.

I remember hearing about this story, and, if Boyle and crew are to pull it off with any success, they are going to need an actor who can foot the bill.  That bill being a whole lot of screen time alone and the physical and psychological challenge that comes with the story.  Granted, there may be flashbacks throughout, but, if anyone can pull this off without running into signs of  boredom, it’s Boyle.  Also, unless there are a lot of closeups of the actor’s face, I’m guessing this one is getting a pretty solid R rating.

Production is set to begin next year for a release in late 2010.