Tristan Thompson Backs Bitcoin Film 'Satoshi' for Saudi Arabia Production

Former NBA champion Tristan Thompson has signed on as a producer for 'Satoshi,' a feature film about the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. The project is directed by Jason Zada and will begin filming in Saudi Arabia and Los Angeles in the spring of 2027. The announcement positions the movie as a central entry in a new multi-picture partnership between Enderby Entertainment and Saudi Arabia's Yellow Camel Studios.

Production is planned for JAX Film Studios, a production complex located in Riyadh. The film aims to explore the origins of Bitcoin, which was created in 2008 following the global financial crisis. It seeks to circumvent traditional financial institutions and examine the mystery surrounding its founder, Satoshi Nakamoto.

Rick Dugdale and Dan Petrie Jr., principals at Enderby Entertainment, will produce the film alongside Thompson. Brian D. Evans, founder of BDE Ventures and a pioneer in cryptocurrencies, is also attached as a producer. Actors Aaron Arnold and Austin Arnold, both known for 'Splitting Image,' have joined the producing team. Enderby Entertainment released a statement confirming the full list of producers.

Jason Zada and Nate Atkins wrote the shooting script. The script is based on an original screenplay by Cam Cannon. Zada, who directs 'Terrarium' and founded the AI-native studio Secret Level, will helm the project. A representative for the film clarified that while artificial intelligence will serve as a tool, it is not the primary method of production. The team describes the project as a traditional film production that includes on-location filming.

The logline describes the plot as a high-stakes crypto thriller. It follows a troubled FBI agent who partners with a charismatic defense attorney. Under federal pressure, the duo attempts to unmask Bitcoin's elusive creator. The story involves government overreach and personal demons in a mystery that continues to elude the world.

Rick Dugdale noted that Bitcoin was released as open-source code by someone who chose to disappear. He stated that the producers are not interested in a sanitized version of that story. He said they are bringing in people who understand the code, the culture, and why it mattered from the beginning. Dugdale added that support from the Saudi kingdom provides the room to do the work properly.

Thompson commented on the shift in the global financial system. He said that money now moves at the speed of the internet and value flows across borders. He described Satoshi as sparking a movement that is reshaping how the world thinks about wealth, freedom, and financial power. Brian D. Evans emphasized that the film is about getting the narrative and story right for the world to finally see, rather than simply unmasking Satoshi.