Run-A-Muck developing film adaptation of Torrey Peters’ “Stag Dance,” based on Pulitzer finalist collection

Run-A-Muck, a creator-led media company founded by Pamela Drucker Mann, Ilene Chaiken and Jennifer Beals, is developing a feature film adaptation of Torrey Peters’ novella “Stag Dance,” Deadline reported Monday. Deadline said the project is in an early stage, with the company currently searching for a writer and director to adapt the work for the screen.

According to the report, “Stag Dance” is described as a genre-defying psychological thriller, and it is the title novella from “Stag Dance: A Quartet.” Deadline framed the book as part of a larger collection by Peters, positioning the film adaptation to draw from the novella’s narrative and tonal approach.

Deadline also linked Peters’ writing to major recognition this season, stating that “Stag Dance” is connected to Peters’ 2026 Pulitzer Prize finalist collection. The publication did not outline the exact publication date for the film project, and it did not provide a timeline for when script development, casting, or production might begin, beyond stating that Run-A-Muck is seeking creative leadership for the adaptation.

The announcement places a relatively fresh literary property into Hollywood development at a time when studios and production companies continue to rely on established fiction for screen translation, while also emphasizing creator involvement in packaging and development. Deadline characterized Run-A-Muck as “creator-led,” naming Drucker Mann, Chaiken and Beals as the company’s founders, suggesting a model in which the company’s founders play a role in shaping the pipeline of adaptation projects.

Run-A-Muck’s involvement also reflects how adaptation rights and development pathways often move through a sequence of approvals, script drafts, and directorial choices before a project reaches financing or a production commitment. Deadline’s report described the current stage as “developing” and specifically noted that creative roles are still being filled, which indicates the project has not yet reached a full greenlight or attached-team stage.

For Peters, a film adaptation can increase audience reach for her work beyond print and literary circles, but the practical next step, as Deadline reported, is the identification of a writer and director. The report did not name candidates or specify whether the adaptation is intended as a faithful translation of the novella’s plot elements or as a restructuring for a feature-length narrative.

Neither Deadline nor the accompanying report previewed potential distribution plans, casting, or budget considerations. The only information available from the report concerns the development status, the source text being adapted, the creators associated with the company, and the company’s active search for additional development leadership for the project.