Alcon in Talks with 'Harry Brown' Director for Thriller 'Substitution' (Exclusive)

Daniel Barber, who last directed the 2009 thriller Harry Brown, is in negotiations to helm Substitution for Alcon Entertainment.

The thriller is described as being in the vein of Strangers on a Train but in a high school setting. The story centers on a substitute teacher who coerces a high school student in a murders-swapping plot.

Alcon’s Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove are producing, as is Kevin McCormick of Langley Park Productions and Steve Crystal. Ian Shorr wrote the script, which is still in development.

Barber proved himself adept at coiling up the tension before letting loose with violence in Harry Brown, which starred Michael Caine as a pensioner who is forced to take matters into his own hands when his friend is killed by ruffians. The movie, Barber’s feature directorial debut, won the for best British film prize at the Empire Awards.

Barber, repped by UTA, Anonymous Content and UK-based Independent, also directed the Oscar-nominated short The Tonto Woman.

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