Ridley Scott to direct John Paul Getty III kidnapping drama 'All the Money in the World', eyeing Natalie Portman to star

Image from Variety

By Darian Scalamoni

            Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Alien) has had quite the career resurgence with his last film, The Martian being nominated for Best Picture and his return to the Alien franchise with Alien: Covenant (that looks brilliant by the way). Deadline is now reporting that his next film will be All the Money in the World, a drama about the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III and the attempt by his mother, Gail Harris to get the boy’s grandfather to pay the ransom.

            All the Money in the World seems like a solid next project for Scott who is one of the most legendary directors of our time and making it an even better project could be the woman that the studio is eyeing to play Harris, recent Oscar-nominee, Natalie Portman. John Paul Getty Sr., the young man’s grandfather was at the time, the richest man in the world but initially refused to pay to get his grandson back. The role is an appealing one for many star actresses and was first offered to Angelina Jolie who had to turn the role down due to scheduling. Scott has had memorable leading ladies in some of his previous films including Sigourney Weaver as Ripley in Alien and the titular leads in Thelma & Louise played by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon.

            Portman was nominated for her role as the former First Lady, Jackie Kennedy in Jackie at this year’s Oscars and also won an Oscar for Black Swan in 2010. Scott will push back what was supposed to be his next film, The Cartel about the drug war. Scott is also actively in discussion with actors trying to find another star for the role of John Paul Getty Sr.