Leave the World Behind: Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts to reunite for new Netflix film

After 27 years the pair will star in their first film together since ‘The Pelican Brief’

Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts will reunite after 27 years to star together in a new drama for Netflix.

The two actors, who previously worked together in the 1993 adaptation of John Grisham’s legal thriller The Pelican Brief, have both signed on to Leave the World Behind.

The family drama is based on the forthcoming novel of the same name by Rumaan Alam, which will be published by Ecco on 6 October.

The feature film will focus on the story of two families forced together on a long weekend gone awry, exploring themes of parenthood, race and class.

Mr Robot creator Sam Esmail will adapt the novel and direct the film. He and Roberts previously worked together on the critically acclaimed first season of Homecoming for Amazon Prime Video.

Both Roberts and Washington will also serve as producers on the film.

Netflix won a bidding war against Apple and other studios for the rights to Leave the World Behind. According to Deadline, the book portion of the deal alone was in the seven-figure range.

Additional stars and a prospective release date have not yet been announced.