Roger Avary to Direct Paradise Lost for Ex Machina Studios

A cosmic war unfolds as Paradise Lost heads to the big screen.

Roger Avary to Direct Epic Biblical Feature Paradise Lost for Ex Machina Studios

A major literary adaptation is moving forward as Ex Machina Studios announces Paradise Lost, a new feature written and directed by Roger Avary, the Oscar-winning co-writer of Pulp Fiction.

The project adapts John Milton’s Paradise Lost, reimagining the classic epic as a large-scale cinematic narrative centered on the fall of Lucifer and the origin of humanity. The story follows the rebellious archangel’s defiance, his descent into Hell, and his eventual manipulation of Adam and Eve—framing the biblical myth as a sweeping tale of rebellion, consequence, and identity.

Produced by Marco Weber, with Kirk Petruccelli serving as executive producer, the film marks another expansion of Ex Machina’s growing slate, which includes previously announced titles such as Heaven, Cortés, and Space Nation.

What sets Paradise Lost apart is its production approach. The film will utilize Ex Machina’s AI-assisted production pipeline, designed to support large-scale world-building while maintaining traditional filmmaking structures, including live performances and guild-aligned practices. The approach aims to balance technological efficiency with creative control, allowing ambitious material to be produced outside of conventional blockbuster constraints.

Avary, whose past work includes The Rules of Attraction and Beowulf, described the project as a more faithful interpretation of Milton’s text, using modern tools to visualize its scale without relying on traditional studio budgets. The adaptation is positioned as both a spectacle-driven narrative and a thematic exploration of choice—obedience, rebellion, and redemption.

The film is set to debut in the marketplace at the Marché du Film this May, where international sales will be handled by Ex Machina in partnership with K5 International.

With its blend of literary source material, technological experimentation, and auteur-driven direction, Paradise Lost positions itself as a high-concept entry in the evolving landscape of large-scale genre filmmaking.