Chris McKay directs the film adaptation

Bob Barker/Brynne Weaver

“The Tomorrow War” and “The Lego Batman Movie” filmmaker Chris McKay has been hired to direct an adaptation of Brynne Weaver’s bestselling serial killer romance “Butcher & Blackbird” for Lyrical Media and Ryder Picture Company (RPC).

The novel is the first part of Weaver’s popular trilogy, “Ruinous Love,” released in October. It was included in the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly. bestseller and was a favorite on BookTok, TikTok’s hub for book lovers. Weaver recently signed a seven-figure deal for her upcoming dark rom-com trilogy. She has sold over 1 million copies of her books in over 18 countries.

Lyrical Media’s Alexander Black and RPC’s Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett will produce the film, with RPC’s Emma Rappold serving as co-producer. Lyrical Media’s Jon Rosenberg and Natalie Sellers will executive produce alongside Weaver. The film does not have a screenwriter.

According to the official description: “‘Butcher and Blackbird’ follows two rival killers as they target other serial killers and try to outdo each other. As their unusual bond deepens, they begin to question whether a future together might even be possible.”

McKay has worked on the entire “Lego” film series, including “The Lego Batman Movie,” which he directed. Most recently, McKay directed Chris Pratt in the sci-fi action film “The Tomorrow War” for Skydance, Paramount and Amazon, and Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult in the vampire comedy “Renfield” for Universal.

Lyrical Media and RPC recently signed a first-look deal following their collaboration on the upcoming Adam Wingard films “Onslaught” and “The Death of Robin Hood.” by Michael Sarnoski and starring Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer, both distributed by A24. The two companies also produced Bruiser, a coming-of-age drama directed by Miles Warren and starring Jayln Hall, Trevante Rhodes and Shamier Anderson, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was later released on Hulu in February 2023 to critical acclaim.

“Elevation” by Lyrical Media by filmmaker George Nolfi, starring Anthony Mackie and Morena Baccarin, was recently sold to Vertical Entertainment. Its debut film, the climate crisis story “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” premiered at TIFF in 2022 and was distributed in the US by Neon. Most recently, the company premiered the psychological thriller “Mother, Couch!” starring Ewan McGregor, Rhys Ifans and Taylor Russell at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Aaron Ryder founded RPC in January 2021 to develop and produce both specialty and studio films. Andrew Swett joined Ryder as a partner in October 2021 and has since produced Craig Gillespie’s “Dumb Money,” with a cast that includes Paul Dano, Shailene Woodley, Seth Rogen and America Ferrera. Next up for RPC is “At the Sea,” starring Oscar nominee Amy Adams and directed by Kornel Mundruczo, which is set to begin production later this month.

Weaver is repped by The Whalen Agency and UTA. McKay is repped by UTA and Rise Management.