Variety reported Tuesday, July 7<\/a> that Kwedar will direct the action-drama \u201cFree Byrd,\u201d which will star Dwayne \u201cThe Rock\u201d Johnson as a Las Vegas motorcycle stuntman battling dementia as he plans his last jump. Johnson is also producing the film that comes from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon\u2019s production company Artists Equity.<\/p>\n In addition to helming the film, Kwedar will rewrite the screenplay that originated from screenwriter Jon Boyer and had prior drafts by \u201cThe Peanut Butter Falcon\u201d filmmakers Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Free Byrd\u2019 is a gift in many ways,\u201d Johnson told Variety. \u201cEmblematic of life\u2019s sacred beauty, as well as life\u2019s harsh and callous reality. The subject matter of \u2018Free Byrd\u2019 has become deeply personal to Greg Kwedar and myself as we\u2019ve started to unpack this fateful journey together. Artists Equity have been incredible filmmaking and artistic partners, who not only share Greg\u2019s vision for the film, but who are all connected to our story in their own unique and personal ways. When the mind of a loved one begins to slip away, life sure takes on a whole new meaning.\u201d<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac In case you missed it: <\/p>\n Fort Worth native to direct new movie with \u2018The Rock\u2019<\/p>\n Kwedar is producing the film with his longtime creative partner Clint Bentley, who is based in Dallas.<\/p>\n The filmmaking pair are coming off back-to-back years of Oscar nominations for \u201cSing Sing\u201d in 2025 and \u201cTrain Dreams\u201d in 2026. Kwedar directed \u201cSing Sing\u201d to three nominations<\/a>, while Bentley helmed \u201cTrain Dreams\u201d to four<\/a>, including Best Picture.<\/p>\n They also wrote the scripts together for both films and share two Oscar nominations apiece for Best Adapted Screenplay. That\u2019s how the duo work, co-writing and producing everything together, including Kwedar\u2019s upcoming film \u201cSaturn Return\u201d that will premiere on Netflix sometime later this year.<\/p>\n Speaking of Netflix, the pair signed an exclusive first-look deal<\/a> with the studio back in May to develop projects through their production company \u2014 Ethos.<\/p>\n Essentially, the deal means that Netflix has the first crack at anything the duo work on. If the company passes, Kwedar and Bentley can then shop the project to other studios.<\/p>\n Ethos is also producing \u201cFree Byrd\u201d with Artists Equity.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a project that all of us at the company have connected with personally,\u201d said Affleck and Damon, Artists Equity\u2019s CEO and Chief Content Officer, respectively. \u201cGreg is one of the most exciting writer-directors working today, and Dwayne is an extraordinary talent and person. We are extremely excited that they have chosen to make this with us and very much look forward to sharing the finished film with audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n Kwedar was born and raised in Fort Worth, and is now based in Austin.<\/p>\n He spoke with the Star-Telegram<\/a> last year for \u201cSing Sing\u201d and said he grew up close to TCU and spent all of his schooling at Trinity Valley School in southwest Fort Worth. Kwedar still has family in the area and said he visits when he can.<\/p>\n \u201c[Fort Worth] still feels like home to me and I think there\u2019s something to the spirit of that town that I think served me in those early years, that helped forward me as a filmmaker,\u201d Kwedar said. \u201cIt has this kind of really independent spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n No release date has been set for \u201cFree Byrd.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n![\"NEW](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2256146881-GI.JPG\" "\\"2256146881-GI.JPG\\"")
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 13: (L-R) Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley attend the 2026 National Board Of Review Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on January 13, 2026 in New York City. Mike Coppola Getty Images <\/p>\n![\"(L-R):](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/https___cdn.sanity.io_images_xq1bjtf4_production_45503392c3cedaf1262cdb8718088c84151ac926-3701x2467..jpeg\" "\\"https___cdn.sanity.io_images_xq1bjtf4_production_45503392c3cedaf1262cdb8718088c84151ac926-3701x2467.jpg\\"")
(L-R): \u201cSing Sing\u201d director Greg Kwedar and star Colman Domingo on set. A24 More on Kwedar<\/p>\n
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