Hollywood heavyweights Peter Craig and Bryan Unkeless have teamed up to launch a new production banner called Night Owl. With a mission to develop both films and TV series, the duo promises a blend of character-driven narratives and high-octane action. Given their track records, Night Owl already has multiple exciting projects in the pipeline.
Craig, a celebrated screenwriter, and Unkeless, a successful producer, bring years of collaboration and creativity to this new venture. Their friendship, which began during the making of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, has now evolved into a full-fledged production house aiming to work with other passionate storytellers.
Big Projects Already in Development
Despite launching in challenging times for the entertainment industry, Night Owl is off to a flying start with several high-profile projects under development:
- Remarkably Bright Creatures
Night Owl is producing the adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt’s best-selling novel. Directed by Olivia Newman, known for Where the Crawdads Sing, the film will star veteran actress Sally Field (Craig’s mother). The project is set to premiere on Netflix. - Tropical Underworld
This crime drama, inspired by a Bloomberg article, is set in Hawaii. The rights were acquired by Fifth Season after a competitive bidding war against big players like A24, FX, Apple, and MRC. Peter Craig will handle the script while Night Owl oversees production. - Head Count
Night Owl will also produce this dark comedy crime series about a wedding planner working for dangerous clients. After securing the project, MRC signed a first-look deal with Night Owl for its future TV ventures.
What to Expect from Night Owl
Craig and Unkeless have a clear vision for Night Owl. They plan to offer creative freedom to filmmakers and writers, allowing them to explore bold ideas without constraints. “We wanted a company that focuses on character-driven action but also gives space to creators to take risks,” Craig explained.
Unkeless added that Night Owl aims to deliver thrilling action projects with a unique twist, saying, “We want to surprise and entertain audiences by telling stories that feel fresh. Working with like-minded artists is part of our mission, and we’re ready to fight hard to get those stories made.”
Who Are Craig and Unkeless?
Peter Craig is one of Hollywood’s most sought-after screenwriters. His work spans major films, including The Town, The Batman, and Top Gun: Maverick—the latter earning him an Oscar nomination. Currently, Craig is wrapping up Sinking Spring, a crime drama for Apple TV+ with Ridley Scott directing the pilot.
Bryan Unkeless made his mark in Hollywood by co-producing The Hunger Games. At Clubhouse Pictures, his previous production company, he delivered a variety of successful projects like I, Tonya, Birds of Prey, and Netflix’s Project Power. His ability to identify powerful stories early on has made him a trusted name in the industry.
Night Owl’s Hollywood Game Plan
The launch of Night Owl shows the partners’ intent to make waves in the film and TV space, focusing on both mainstream action-thrillers and original character-driven stories. Some of their upcoming projects will feature collaborations with leading talent in the industry.
By focusing on genre films and expanding into high-quality TV content, Craig and Unkeless aim to bring stories that not only entertain but also resonate with audiences. Their partnership with MRC is just the start, giving them an edge as they scale new heights in Hollywood.
Night Owl’s arrival marks an exciting chapter for the entertainment industry, and with the kind of creative freedom the duo envisions, it promises to be a banner worth watching.
