From weekend hobby to blockbuster deal – the story behind Crush might just be the most unexpected Hollywood win of the year. John Fischer, normally busy as the Executive Vice President of Development and Production at Temple Hill Entertainment, decided to try his hand at writing a thriller in his spare time – a python survival story he called Crush. Working under the pen name J.W. Archer, Fischer quietly uploaded his script to The Black List, unsure if anyone would even care. What happened next? It exploded with praise.
After showing the script to his colleagues at Temple Hill, they jumped at the chance to produce it. That’s when the real drama began—a bidding war between film studios hungry to bring Crush to life. In the end, Deadline reports that 20th Century Studios came out on top, shelling out a mid-to-high six-figure sum to secure the rights. Some say this is a rare gamble for a survival thriller, others call it a smart move—but which side are you on?
Producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey were caught off guard when Fischer walked into their office with the news he’d written a script while working overseas on another Temple Hill project. "We went from bracing ourselves to find polite things to say… to realizing we had a genuine thrill ride on our hands," they admitted. "Now we can’t wait to bury him in our production notes." Scott Glassgold’s 12:01 Films is also on board.
20th Century Studios is wasting no time. The film is already being fast-tracked, conversations with potential directors are underway, and word is spreading that high-profile actresses are eyeing the lead role. The biggest hook? The story is inspired by real events and unfolds almost entirely in real time, following a woman hiking alone in the Everglades who wakes to find herself wrapped in the deadly coils of a massive python. As the minutes tick by, every breath she takes tightens the snake’s grip—turning a peaceful trek into a relentless fight for survival.
If you think that sounds intense, you’re not alone. Survival thrillers with a single-location setup often divide audiences—some find them unbearably tense, while others dismiss them as too simple. Which camp do you fall into?
Temple Hill has an impressive track record, producing hits like Smile, Smile 2, Clown in a Cornfield, The Fault in Our Stars, The Maze Runner series, and the Twilight saga. Their involvement adds weight to Crush’s chances of becoming another standout genre film. But the big question remains: will this python-packed suspense story sink its teeth (or coils) into audiences the way the studio hopes?
So… would you watch Crush? Do survival thrillers like this keep you on the edge of your seat—or do they feel overhyped? Share your thoughts below. Let’s see who’s truly brave enough to face the snake.
