Julius Avery is set to direct Crush, a new snake-themed survival thriller in development at 20th Century Studios.

The film follows a woman hiking alone in the Everglades who wakes up trapped in the crushing coils of a massive python. With every breath making her situation more dangerous, she must fight to stay alive and find a way to escape.

The story is inspired by true events and is expected to unfold primarily in real time, giving the film a tense, ticking-clock structure.

John Fischer wrote the original screenplay. Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey are producing through Temple Hill, with Scott Glassgold also producing through 12:01 Films.

A cast and release date have not yet been announced.