EXCLUSIVE: Eric Paquette‘s Meridian Pictures has picked up The Regulator, a western written by screenwriter Mike Maples (Backtrace).
Set in 1895, The Regulator follows “a legendary regulator on the verge of walking away from a life of killing who must protect the secret son he never knew existed when a vengeful cattle empire puts a price on both their heads”.
The project is currently in development. Former Sony and MGM exec Paquette (The Silent Hour) will produce with Aaron Barnett (In The Shadow Of The Moon).
Maples’ credits include Miracle Run, starring Mary-Louise Parker, Aidan Quinn and Zac Efron, as well as the Lionsgate thriller Backtrace, starring Matthew Modine and Sylvester Stallone. His action spec Padre was acquired by Sony’s Screen Gems. The LA-based writer has also written and developed projects with Warner Bros., Universal and Sony.
“Mike and I first worked together while I was at Sony, and I’ve always believed he writes movie-star roles as well as anyone,” said Meridian founder and CEO Paquette. “Taylor Sheridan has helped prove there is a worldwide audience for great Western storytelling, and Mike has written a character-driven, emotional Western with a tremendous role at its center. We’re excited to put this one together.”
Meridian’s slate includes The Line Between, with Jonathan Jakubowicz set to direct, and survival thriller The Edge, directed by Danish filmmaker Kasper Torsting. Both films are targeting production in the second quarter of 2027.
Maples is represented by Bryan Brucks of 831 Entertainment.
