Sony Pictures Snags Rights to SIMULTANEOUS, the Debut Novel from ARRIVAL Writer Eric Heisserer
Sony Pictures is teaming up once again with Eric Heisserer, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter behind Arrival and Bird Box, this time adapting his debut novel Simultaneous into a feature film.
The project will be developed under Heisserer’s first-look deal with Sony, with Heisserer and Carmen Lewis producing through their Chronology banner.
Published by Flatiron Books on October 28, 2025, Simultaneous marks Heisserer’s first full-length novel and is already earning strong praise.
The story blends psychological suspense and supernatural mystery, following a past-life regression therapist and a Homeland Security agent from the Predictive Analytics department who join forces after uncovering a chilling phenomenon linked to reincarnation, a serial killer manipulating his own past lives.
Leigh Bardugo, author of Shadow and Bone, called the book “a twisty, mind-bending thriller that will keep you guessing until the final gut punch.” David Koepp, the screenwriter of Jurassic Park, praised its “mind-blowing premise and razor-sharp execution,” while Bird Box author Josh Malerman added, “Heisserer has outdone himself.”
The film adaptation of Simultaneous isn’t the only project Heisserer has lined up with Sony. Under his ongoing deal, he’s also developing Dissolution, a grounded sci-fi film based on the acclaimed novel by Nicholas Binge.
Before diving into novel writing, Heisserer built an impressive Hollywood career. His screenplay for Arrival, directed by Denis Villeneuve, earned him an Academy Award nomination and multiple industry awards, including a WGA Award and Critics’ Choice Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
He also write the Netflix hit Bird Box starring Sandra Bullock, the horror film Lights Out, and made his directorial debut with Hours, inspired by stories he collected from Hurricane Katrina survivors.
Most recently, Heisserer served as showrunner and executive producer on Netflix’s fantasy adventure series Shadow and Bone, further proving his talent for blending character-driven storytelling with big, imaginative worlds.
With Simultaneous, Heisserer brings his signature mix of intellect and intensity to a whole new medium, and with Sony behind the wheel, fans can expect another mind-bending cinematic experience.
Source: Deadline