Filmmaker Ford's $10M 'Rothchild' Follows 'Emily' Success

Filmmaker John Patton Ford is following his acclaimed "Emily the Criminal" with "Rothchild," a $10 million project inspired by the 1949 tragicomedy "Kind Hearts and Coronets." The film details Becket's journey as he eliminates estranged family members to claim an inheritance. Ford drew inspiration from his own past struggles to get his career off the ground.

The new film, which was initially developed as a Shia LaBeouf-Mel Gibson package, features Glen Powell as Becket and Ed Harris as his grandfather. Ford notes that Powell underwent a significant weight loss and hairstyle change to embody the character.

"Rothchild" delves into the complex motivations behind wealth acquisition and the ethical compromises individuals make. The narrative explores themes of ambition and the societal pressure for continuous growth, contrasting it with personal contentment. Ford aims for a more nuanced portrayal than simply condemning the wealthy.

Ford expressed a desire to return to character-driven thrillers similar to "Emily the Criminal," his preferred genre. He also hinted at a potential future collaboration with "Emily the Criminal" star Aubrey Plaza, exploring themes related to their shared backgrounds in law.

The movie's themes echo Ford's personal journey, where he battled for years to get his scripts produced. He discussed how difficult projects have been, particularly the near-miss with the Cannes Market package in 2019.