Fox has bought the spec script “Crater” by John J. Griffin with Shawn Levy in talks to direct. Levy will produce along with 21 Laps’ Dan Levine.

“Crater” is described as a coming-of-age story in the vein of “Stand By Me,” set on a moon colony. After the death of his father, a boy growing up on a lunar mining colony takes a trip to explore a mysterious crater, along with his four best friends, prior to being permanently relocated to another planet.

VFX vet Rpin Suwannath, who will now exec produce, originally conceived the idea and was paired with Griffin by their WME reps to construct the story. Once the script was solid, it wasn’t long before it was put in front of Levy and 21 Laps, who quickly signed on to produce and came to Fox with the idea that it would be developed as a directing vehicle for Levy.

Paris Latsis, Terry Dougas, and Gordon Gray will also exec produce.

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Fox’s Kira Goldberg will oversee for the studio.

Emily Morris is overseeing on behalf of 21 Laps. The script was voted #1 on the Tracking Board’s 2015 Hit List and was #5 on the 2015 Black List.

21 Laps just premiered the second season of its global hit Netflix series “Stranger Things,” and is in post-production on Fox’s “The Darkest Minds” based on the best-selling book, as well as their Lionsgate sci-fi thriller “Kin.” As for Levy, he most recently helmed several episodes of “Stranger Things” Season 2.

WME handled the packaging of the spec and reps Levy and 21 Laps.

This marks Griffin’s first script sale to a major studio. He is repped by WME, Grandview, and attorney David Matlof. Suwannath is repped by WME and attorney Adam Kaller. Latsis, Dougas, and Gray are also repped by WME.

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