Heretic Directors Team Up with Steven Spielberg for New Sci-Fi Movie
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods are heading back into science fiction.
The filmmaking duo behind Heretic, A Quiet Place and 65 have signed on to write and direct a brand-new science fiction movie for Universal Pictures and Steven Spielberg’s legendary Amblin Entertainment. While plot details are being kept firmly under wraps, the project is being described as a high-concept science fiction film, with Beck and Woods also providing the original screenplay.
For horror and genre fans, the announcement is an exciting one. Over the last decade, Beck and Woods have quietly become two of the most interesting voices working in modern genre cinema, building a career around original ideas rather than relying solely on existing intellectual property.
The pair first exploded onto Hollywood’s radar thanks to A Quiet Place. Originally written by Beck and Woods as a spec screenplay, the project was acquired by Paramount and eventually developed into one of the most successful horror films of the modern era. Released in 2018 and directed by John Krasinski, the film became both a critical and commercial sensation, earning widespread praise for its simple yet brilliant premise: a family struggling to survive in a world where making even the slightest sound can attract deadly creatures.
The film’s success helped launch an entire franchise, but it also established Beck and Woods as writers capable of creating high-concept ideas that immediately capture audiences’ imaginations.
Since then, the duo have continued to carve out their own path through horror and science fiction. In 2023 they directed 65, a survival thriller starring Adam Driver as a pilot stranded on a mysterious planet that eventually reveals itself to be prehistoric Earth. While the film divided critics, it demonstrated the filmmakers’ willingness to tackle ambitious concepts and large-scale genre storytelling.
More recently, Beck and Woods found some of the biggest success of their careers with Heretic. Released by A24, the psychological horror film starred Hugh Grant in one of the most acclaimed performances of his career. The film follows two young Mormon missionaries who become trapped inside the home of a deeply unsettling man whose intellectual games gradually evolve into something far more sinister. Blending philosophical debates, religious themes and psychological horror, Heretic became both a critical and commercial success, further cementing the filmmakers as major genre talents.
What’s particularly impressive about Beck and Woods is their versatility. While many filmmakers find success within a single subgenre, the pair have comfortably moved between creature features, science fiction adventures and psychological horror while maintaining a strong focus on original storytelling. Their projects often begin with deceptively simple concepts before expanding into something much larger and more thought-provoking.
That approach likely makes them a natural fit for Steven Spielberg and Amblin. Few companies have a richer history with science fiction than Amblin Entertainment, which has been responsible for classics including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds and countless other genre favourites. The opportunity to collaborate with Spielberg’s company represents a significant milestone in any filmmaker’s career.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new film remains in the early stages of development, with virtually no story details currently available. However, Beck and Woods appear understandably excited about the project.
“This new project is thirty years in the making,” the pair wrote on Instagram following the announcement. “Really proud to bring this story to life alongside Mr. Spielberg and our heroes at Amblin and Universal Pictures. Never a dull day working in the dream factory.”
The filmmakers concluded their message with a simple tease for fans: “Hope to see you in theaters soon.”
While audiences will likely have to wait some time before learning exactly what Beck and Woods have planned, the combination of the Heretic directors, an original science fiction concept and Steven Spielberg’s involvement already makes this one of the most intriguing genre projects currently in development.
In an era increasingly dominated by sequels, remakes and reboots, it’s always encouraging to see major studios investing in original science fiction. With Beck and Woods behind the camera and Spielberg helping guide the project, genre fans have every reason to be paying close attention.
