Ben Leonberg to Direct Horror Novella Adaptation for Republic Pictures

Ben Leonberg will direct a film adaptation of the horror novella "Look Out" for Republic Pictures. The project marks the director's next major move following the success of his debut feature, which found an audience at film festivals last year.

Leonberg will co-write the screenplay with Alex Cannon. Cannon previously collaborated with Leonberg on the script for "Good Boy." Production is being handled by multiple studios. Roy Lee and Andrew Childs are producing the film for Vertigo Entertainment, while Zach Studin is attached to produce for Artists Writers and Artisans.

The source material was published in May 2025 as the first entry in a partnership between Vertigo and AWA. Dan Baillie wrote the novella, and Tim Bradstreet provided the artwork. The story centers on a character named Oscar who takes a job as a fire lookout at a remote forest outpost after a divorce. During his shift, he finds a document listing specific rules intended to ensure his safety.

Leonberg made his directorial debut with "Good Boy" at the SXSW festival in 2025. The film was acquired by IFC Films and Shudder after its premiere. It features a dog named Indy as the sole protagonist protecting an owner from supernatural threats. The production is currently under development with plot details for the movie version kept private.

The director has additional projects in the pipeline. He is adapting Grady Hendrix's short story for "Ankle Snatcher" for Sony Pictures, with Cannon again serving as writing partner. His second original horror feature, "Follow Mode," is in post-production with Temple Hill acting as the producer. That thriller follows a group of teenagers who retrieve a drone and discover footage of a serial killer. Leonberg is represented by Verve and Untitled, along with attorney Ryan Nord.