Apple TV+ has unveiled the trailer for The Lost Bus, a new disaster thriller featuring Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey. The film is based on Lizzie Johnson’s nonfiction book Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire and tells the story of a school bus driver and a teacher who race to save 22 children trapped by California’s deadly 2018 Camp Fire.
In the trailer, McConaughey’s character, Kevin McKay, is driving through Butte County when he receives an urgent radio call: “There is a situation developing at Ponderosa Elementary. There are 22 kids who are stranded… is there anybody who can pick these kids up?” As Kevin prepares to respond, the trailer cuts to intense scenes of thick smoke, aerial firefighting, and the bus speeding through flames.
America Ferrera co-stars as Mary Ludwig, the dedicated school teacher who works alongside Kevin to protect the children. The cast also includes Yul Vazquez, Ashlie Atkinson, Danny McCarthy, and Spencer Watson.
Directed by Paul Greengrass, known for United 93 and Captain Phillips, the film is co-written by Greengrass and Brad Ingelsby. Producers include Ingelsby, Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions, Jamie Lee Curtis of Comet Pictures, and Gregory Goodman. Lizzie Johnson, whose book inspired the film, serves as an executive producer. Curtis brought the project to Blumhouse after hearing Johnson’s story on NPR.
Greengrass described The Lost Bus as “the story of quiet heroism — of people coming together in the face of the unthinkable. I’m honored to have been entrusted with this story.”
The Lost Bus is scheduled for release on Apple TV+ and in select theaters in fall 2025. The film promises a gripping portrayal of survival and community spirit amid one of America’s worst natural disasters.
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