Gulfstream Pictures Secures Action Spec ‘The Feud’ from Screenwriting Duo Chad and Carey Hayes
In a significant acquisition that underscores the industry’s ongoing appetite for high-stakes, international-flavored action properties, Gulfstream Pictures has officially secured the rights to "The Feud," an original action screenplay penned by brothers Chad and Carey W. Hayes. The deal represents a notable win for the production house, which has been aggressively expanding its footprint in Hollywood, and further cements the Hayes brothers’ status as one of the most sought-after writing teams in the genre space.
The Hayes Brothers: A Hot Streak in Hollywood
The sale of "The Feud" arrives at a time when Chad and Carey W. Hayes are riding the crest of a professional wave that few screenwriters ever achieve. The duo is currently enjoying the monumental success of the supernatural horror hit The Conjuring. Directed by James Wan and starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, the film has defied industry expectations, raking in nearly $90 million in domestic grosses within just 12 days of its theatrical release.
This box-office dominance has not gone unnoticed. The Hayes brothers have effectively transitioned from reliable genre scribes to "must-have" talent for major studio tentpoles. Beyond their recent horror success, the pair has been tapped to spearhead several high-profile projects, including the development of a sequel to The Conjuring and a writing assignment on the ambitious disaster epic San Andreas 3D for New Line Cinema. By successfully pivoting from the contained, atmospheric tension of supernatural thrillers to the expansive, global scale of action cinema, the Hayes brothers have proven their versatility to studio executives.
A Project Under Wraps: The Premise of ‘The Feud’
While plot details regarding The Feud remain closely guarded—a standard practice for high-value spec scripts in the early stages of development—insiders suggest the film leans into a classic "east-meets-west" narrative architecture.
The story is centered on two prominent, rival families in Hong Kong locked in a centuries-old conflict. Beyond that core premise, producers are keeping the logline firmly under wraps, likely to prevent premature leaks of the film’s specific action beats or plot twists. The choice of a Hong Kong setting suggests a move toward a more globalized narrative, a strategic decision that mirrors the industry’s increasing focus on international markets for blockbuster performance. By grounding the action in a deep-seated, multi-generational familial dispute, the Hayes brothers have created a framework that allows for both high-octane sequences and character-driven drama.
The Production Landscape: Gulfstream’s Strategic Growth
The acquisition of The Feud is a major milestone for Gulfstream Pictures. Founded only a year prior to this deal, the production company has been quick to establish a diverse portfolio. Gulfstream, led by partners Mike Karz and Bill Bindley, has already made waves with projects ranging from the animated feature The Nut Job to the star-studded romantic comedy Blended, which reunited the iconic onscreen duo of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.
For Gulfstream, The Feud represents a departure into the gritty, high-stakes action genre. By partnering with Circle of Confusion—the management and production powerhouse known for its savvy eye for genre material—Gulfstream is positioning itself to compete with more established production labels. The involvement of Circle of Confusion’s David Alpert, Ken Freimann, and Rick Jacobs provides the project with a pedigree of success; the team is well-regarded for navigating the complexities of both film and television development, ensuring that The Feud will have the necessary support to move from script to screen.
Chronology of the Deal and Market Impact
The deal to acquire The Feud did not occur in a vacuum; it was the result of a competitive bidding environment that reflects the current state of the "spec market."
- Early 2013: Following the completion of the The Conjuring script, the Hayes brothers begin drafting original material that deviates from their horror roots.
- Mid-2013: The Conjuring premieres to critical and commercial acclaim, instantly increasing the market value of any project attached to the Hayes name.
- Summer 2013: The script for The Feud is circulated among major production houses and studios.
- Late July 2013: Deadline.com breaks the news of the script sale, marking the first public confirmation of the partnership between the Hayes brothers and Gulfstream.
- Post-Acquisition: Gulfstream begins the process of packaging the project, looking for directors and potential lead talent to capitalize on the momentum of the script’s acquisition.
This timeline demonstrates how a singular success—in this case, The Conjuring—can create a "multiplier effect" for a screenwriter’s entire slate of projects. The industry often operates on momentum, and the Hayes brothers are currently the primary beneficiaries of that economic reality.
Industry Implications: The Rise of the Spec Script
The sale of The Feud is a positive indicator for the health of the spec script market, which has faced fluctuations in recent years due to the industry’s pivot toward established intellectual property (IP).
For years, writers have complained that studios were only interested in remakes, reboots, or comic book adaptations. However, The Feud proves that there is still a massive appetite for original stories, provided they come from proven talent. By attaching writers who have a track record of delivering hits, Gulfstream has mitigated the risk associated with an original concept.
Furthermore, the involvement of international settings is a growing trend. As Hollywood looks to expand its reach into the Chinese market, scripts that feature authentic international locales—like the Hong Kong setting of The Feud—are becoming increasingly attractive to financiers. This strategic alignment of talent, genre, and global setting makes the project a microcosm of modern Hollywood’s development priorities.
Official Responses and Future Outlook
While representatives for both the Hayes brothers and Gulfstream Pictures have remained relatively quiet regarding specific production timelines, the industry buzz surrounding the script is palpable. The partnership between Karz, Bindley, and the producers at Circle of Confusion suggests a high level of confidence in the material.
"The Hayes brothers have a unique ability to tap into what audiences want," noted one industry analyst. "Whether it’s the visceral fear of a haunted house or the high-stakes adrenaline of a Hong Kong-based action feud, they understand pacing and tension better than almost anyone else in the business right now."
As the project moves into the next phase of development—likely focusing on casting and pre-production planning—all eyes will be on how Gulfstream handles the translation of the Hayes brothers’ vision to the screen. If The Feud follows the trajectory of their previous work, it has the potential to become a cornerstone of Gulfstream’s future slate.
Conclusion: A Barometer for Success
In the final analysis, the acquisition of The Feud is more than just a standard Hollywood business transaction. It is a snapshot of an industry that rewards versatility and the ability to leverage critical success into long-term career stability. Chad and Carey W. Hayes have moved from the periphery of genre fiction to the center of the blockbuster ecosystem.
With the support of Gulfstream Pictures and the producing team at Circle of Confusion, The Feud is poised to be a significant addition to the action landscape. Whether it lives up to the lofty expectations set by the Hayes brothers’ recent successes remains to be seen, but the initial foundation—a solid script, a motivated production team, and a high-concept premise—is firmly in place. As the film progresses through the development pipeline, it will likely serve as a primary case study for how to successfully package and sell original content in an era dominated by established franchises.
