Washington, Roberts Set For Esmail’s “World”

In their first re-teaming after starring together in the John Grisham adaptation “The Pelican Brief” back in 1993, actors Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington are attached to lead the Netflix feature “Leave the World Behind”.

The story follows a husband and wife as they head out to a remote corner of Long Island expecting a vacation with their teenage son and daughter. When the owners of the rental return in a panic one night after they say a sudden blackout has swept through the city, the couple aren’t sure what to believe.

With the TV and internet down and no cell service, the two families are forced into a tense living situation. Themes of race, class, and parenthood all come into play.

The project hails from “Mr. Robot” and “Homecoming” creator Sam Esmail who will write the adaptation and direct it based on the novel by Rumaan Alam. Esmail and Roberts have a strong working relationship thanks to “Homecoming” and she’s the one who sent the book to Washington which convinced him to join.

Esmail will produce with Chad Hamilton and Washington.

Source: THR