Gulfstream Pictures Secures Rights to Action-Packed Script "The Feud" from "The Conjuring" Writing Duo

In a significant acquisition that underscores the rising industry stock of screenwriting brothers Chad and Carey W. Hayes, Gulfstream Pictures has officially closed a deal to acquire the rights to their latest action-oriented screenplay, The Feud. The acquisition marks a pivotal moment for both the writers, who are riding a wave of unprecedented commercial success, and Gulfstream, a production house looking to diversify its portfolio with high-stakes, international narratives.

The Main Facts: A High-Stakes Narrative

The deal, which was first reported by Deadline, brings together the creative minds behind the supernatural smash hit The Conjuring and the producing team at Gulfstream. While specific plot details remain largely shrouded in secrecy, industry insiders have confirmed that The Feud centers on a centuries-old, volatile conflict between two prominent and powerful Hong Kong families.

The project is currently in the early stages of development, with producers opting to keep the finer points of the logline under wraps to maintain narrative integrity. However, the involvement of the Hayes brothers—who have demonstrated a masterful command of tension and pacing in their horror work—suggests that The Feud will lean heavily into visceral, character-driven action.

Chronology of a Hot Streak

The momentum leading to this sale did not emerge in a vacuum. The Hayes brothers have spent the last decade building a reputation as reliable, high-grossing writers capable of delivering scripts that resonate with global audiences.

The "Conjuring" Phenomenon

The catalyst for their current demand is undoubtedly the massive box-office performance of The Conjuring. Starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, the film defied typical genre expectations, pulling in nearly $90 million in domestic grosses within just 12 days of its release. This commercial triumph served as a powerful signal to studios that the Hayes brothers possess a unique ability to capture the zeitgeist and generate significant returns on investment.

Expanding the Portfolio

Capitalizing on this success, the brothers have been aggressive in their pursuit of new projects. Following the announcement of The Feud, it was confirmed that the duo is actively developing a sequel to The Conjuring, signaling that the franchise will remain a cornerstone of their professional focus. Furthermore, the brothers have joined the creative team for the high-octane project San Andreas 3D at New Line Cinema, showcasing their versatility in transitioning from low-budget horror to large-scale, big-budget spectacle.

Supporting Data: The Power Players Behind the Deal

The production of The Feud will be spearheaded by a robust team of industry veterans. The deal brings together Gulfstream partners Mike Karz and Bill Bindley—who have established a reputation for building a diverse slate of projects—alongside the heavy-hitting production team from Circle of Confusion, including David Alpert, Ken Freimann, and Rick Jacobs.

About Gulfstream Pictures

Gulfstream Pictures, established only last year, has quickly made its mark on the industry. The studio’s early output has already shown a wide range of interests, from the family-friendly animated film The Nut Job to the star-studded romantic comedy Blended, which reunited frequent collaborators Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The acquisition of The Feud suggests a strategic pivot for Gulfstream toward more intense, action-driven international fare, potentially aimed at capturing the lucrative Asian market.

The Circle of Confusion Influence

Circle of Confusion, the management and production company representing the project, is no stranger to successful franchise building. Their involvement adds a layer of pedigree to The Feud, as the team has historically been adept at bridging the gap between compelling source material and successful screen adaptation.

Official Responses and Industry Context

While the principals involved have kept their public comments limited to standard industry protocol, the ripple effects of the deal are being felt across the Hollywood landscape. By securing a script from the writers of the most successful horror film of the summer, Gulfstream has signaled its intention to play in the big leagues of action cinema.

For the Hayes brothers, this deal is a testament to their endurance. Having navigated the ups and downs of the industry for years, they have successfully pivoted from the intimate terror of The Conjuring to the broader, more complex canvas of an international action epic. It represents a "prestige" move that elevates their status from genre specialists to versatile architects of global blockbusters.

Implications: The Future of the Project

What does the acquisition of The Feud mean for the future of cinema? Several implications stand out:

1. The Rise of the Hong Kong Setting

The decision to center The Feud on Hong Kong families suggests a deliberate attempt to cater to the growing importance of the international box office. As studios increasingly look to China and the surrounding regions for growth, projects that feature authentic, high-stakes narratives set within these regions are becoming significantly more valuable. If handled with the right cultural nuance, The Feud could represent a blueprint for how mid-sized production companies can compete with major studio tentpoles.

2. A Shift in Genre for the Hayes Brothers

While the Hayes brothers are currently synonymous with the supernatural, The Feud allows them to flex a different set of narrative muscles. Action cinema requires a different cadence—one that favors physical stakes and logistical complexity over the psychological dread found in their previous work. If the transition proves successful, it will open doors to even larger action franchises for the writing duo.

3. Gulfstream’s Growth Strategy

For Gulfstream, this is a calculated risk. Moving from romantic comedies and animation into action-thrillers requires a different level of production oversight and potentially a higher budget threshold. By aligning themselves with a proven writing team, Gulfstream is minimizing the risk of a "misfire" while maximizing their potential to create a project with built-in, marketable appeal.

4. The "Conjuring" Effect

The success of The Conjuring has fundamentally changed the career trajectories of everyone involved. For Chad and Carey W. Hayes, it has provided the "golden ticket"—the leverage to pick and choose projects that interest them. As they juggle the demands of a Conjuring sequel, the San Andreas 3D project, and now The Feud, the industry will be watching closely to see how they manage their workload and whether they can maintain the high quality of their output across multiple genres.

Conclusion

The acquisition of The Feud is more than just a standard script sale; it is a barometer for the current state of Hollywood. It highlights the continued dominance of the Hayes brothers, the strategic growth of ambitious production houses like Gulfstream, and the ongoing industry trend of looking toward international conflicts as the next frontier for compelling action storytelling.

As the production moves from the page to the pre-production phase, the film world will undoubtedly be waiting for casting news and updates on the development of the script. With a pedigree that includes some of the most profitable films of the decade, the team behind The Feud is well-positioned to turn this centuries-old story into a modern, cinematic event. Whether it becomes the next big franchise or a standalone critical hit, one thing is certain: all eyes are on the Hayes brothers to see if they can replicate their recent magic in this new, action-packed arena.