Glen Powell stars in Ron Howard’s untitled firefighter movie that reunites the ‘Backdraft’ director with his favorite flames

Amazon MGM Studios has picked up a new firefighter film starring Glen Powell, with Ron Howard set to direct. The project comes from a pitch by screenwriter Christina Hodson, with Imagine Entertainment and Powell’s company Barnstorm joining forces to produce.

According to Deadline, the story follows two childhood friends who have grown apart but now work as elite firefighters. They must fix their broken relationship when they face a series of deadly fires spreading across Texas. The Texas setting is particularly fitting for Powell, who is a proud Texan born in Austin and frequently celebrates his home state roots. The project brings together a strong creative team, with Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and Jeb Brody producing alongside Dan Cohen and Glen Powell.

Ron Howard returns to the world of firefighting movies, having previously directed the classic film “Backdraft.” His experience with fire-based action and drama makes him a natural choice to lead this new project, reuniting the “Backdraft” director with his favorite flames in what promises to be another intense firefighting story.

Powell’s rising career shows no signs of slowing down

Powell, who recently received a Golden Globe nomination for his role in the Netflix comedy “Hit Man,” continues to build an impressive lineup of projects. Industry insiders have been calling him Hollywood’s biggest up-and-coming movie star, comparing his broad appeal to established A-listers. The “Top Gun: Maverick” star is set to appear in the upcoming series “Chad Powers,” which he helped create and write. He will also star in Edgar Wright’s “The Running Man” for Paramount Pictures, scheduled for release on November 7.

The actor has been particularly busy, having just completed work on the revenge thriller “Huntington.” He is currently filming an untitled JJ Abrams project for Warner Bros., showing his versatility across different genres and platforms.

Christina Hodson, who wrote the pitch for the firefighter project, brings significant experience to the table. Since starting her screenwriting career in 2012, she has written several major films, including “Bumblebee,” “Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey,” and “The Flash.” She is also working on the screenplay for the eleventh installment of the Fast and the Furious franchise with Oren Uziel.

The project represents a significant addition to Amazon MGM Studios’ lineup, combining Howard’s proven track record with firefighter narratives and Powell’s rising star power. With Hodson’s storytelling abilities and the producing power of both Imagine Entertainment and Barnstorm behind it, the film looks to deliver a compelling story about friendship, redemption, and courage in the face of danger.