Paul Greengrass returns to the kind of on-the-ground realism that has become his signature, this time with a drama drawn from a recent disaster. The Lost Bus, the filmmaker’s new project, is set to tell a true story with the same gritty authenticity he brought to United 93 and Bloody Sunday.
The film centers on the November 2018 Camp Fire that devastated Paradise, California, costing 85 lives, injuring 19 and destroying roughly 1,800 homes. In the midst of the chaos, a school-bus driver named Kevin McKay guided 22 children to safety, steering them through an environment few adults would survive.
Greengrass is aiming for an intensely realistic portrayal of the blaze. In casting, Matthew McConaughey leads the film, with America Ferrera portraying a teacher swept up in the tragedy. “I wanted it to be the most realistic depiction of fire ever put on film,” the director told the presenting outlet.
Making realism work posed major challenges. While he flirted with the idea of massive digital backdrops showing the flames, he scrapped that approach. Instead, Greengrass shut down Santa Fe University of Art and Design to build a controlled road circuit equipped with gas burners and lines of fire, shooting during the golden glow of magic hour to capture the fire’s radiance and intensity.
“I told Matthew, ‘Trust me. The goal is to capture the intensity of a live performance, but with the safety of thorough preparation,’” Greengrass recalled. The result, he noted, is a production that seeks to put actors in a situation that feels immediate and real.
The production has a ambitious schedule ahead, with The Lost Bus set to world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in two weeks.
Why this project matters: Greengrass’s approach emphasizes authentic reactions and grounded storytelling, spotlighting everyday courage in a disaster narrative rather than CGI spectacle. The film promises a visceral, documentary-like experience that honors the real people at the center of the Camp Fire tragedy, while offering audiences the kind of immersive drama the director is known for.
Additional notes for readers: This project highlights a growing trend in disaster cinema toward practical effects and controlled environments that prioritize safety and realism without compromising emotional impact. If the early promises hold, The Lost Bus could become a standout example of how to translate a harrowing real event to the screen with restraint, respect, and grit.