Apple TV+ has bought the rights to make the "Five Secrets" action thriller, beating rivals to it on the strength of its screenplay.
It still remains to be seen how Apple plans to continue making theatrical movies after "F1" was seen to be a last test. But whether for theatrical release or solely streaming, Apple Original Films is now making "Five Secrets," along with Chernin Entertainment.
According to Deadline, the project existed as a completed script written by Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari, based on an as-yet unpublished short story by Julianna Baggott. The intention had been to package the screenplay — to sign star names to it — and then sell it as a production ready to go.
However, by itself, the completed screenplay was reportedly starting to get attention in the industry. It's likely that it would have headed to auction, but Apple and Chernin Entertainment pre-empted rivals and bought the rights.
The story centers on an idea that everybody has five secrets we have never told anyone else — and that if you can learn even one of them, you control that person. The lead character is Hedrick, a mercenary, whose gets targets to confess their key secrets.
But Hedrick has a secret too, which is that he wants to stop doing this. You don't get to retire from this work, however, so he goes on a last mission, hoping both to secure a key secret, and protect his own.
Chernin Entertainment was founded in 2009 by Peter Chernin. He was previously the president and COO of News Corp and involved in negotiating with Apple for Fox movies to be sold on iTunes.
His company was previously responsible for "Truth Be Told," a drama that ran for three seasons on Apple TV+. "Five Secrets" comes after Chernin Entertainment signed a first-look deal with Apple in June 2025.
