Josh Brolin and Jeremy Renner Reunite Together for Fourth Movie, a Sea-Survival Thriller
A real ordeal at sea
A Speck in the Sea is based on what happened to Johnny Aldrige in 2013. Brolin portrays the Montauk lobster fisherman, who went overboard from his boat during the night and was left in the Atlantic.
Renner plays Anthony Sosinski, Aldrige’s close friend and fishing partner. Sosinski is sleeping below deck when Aldrige falls; after waking and finding him gone, he triggers a multi-state search as Aldrige struggles to survive in the water.
Their previous screen pairings
The actors most recently shared the screen in Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Brolin plays Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, while Renner portrays congregant Nat Sharp.
Before that, they appeared in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers: Endgame. Brolin’s Thanos appears only in the post-credits scene of Age of Ultron; Renner plays Hawkeye, also known as Clint Barton.
Filmmakers and producers
Orlando von Einsiedel is directing the thriller, with a screenplay by Jeff Pope, who received an Academy Award nomination for adapting Philomena. Legendary’s 193 is handling international sales at the American Film Market.
Mark Bauch of One Day’s Walk and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback are producing. 193 CEO Patrick Wachsberger described the film as a story of survival, friendship and endurance, and said the company looks forward to presenting it at the upcoming AFM.
Producers praise the partnership
Bauch said his confidence in von Einsiedel grew after reading Pope’s script. He also said time spent with Aldrige and Sosinski on the water strengthened the production team’s connection to their story.
Eirich called the men’s account a remarkable example of survival and perseverance. He said the filmmakers and actors make a strong team to bring it to audiences worldwide.
Key points
- A Speck in the Sea marks Brolin and Renner’s fourth movie together.
- Brolin portrays fisherman Johnny Aldrige, who went overboard in 2013.
- Renner plays Anthony Sosinski, whose discovery prompts a multi-state rescue operation.
- Orlando von Einsiedel directs a screenplay by Jeff Pope.