Universal Pictures recently acquired rights to a film adaptation of Mark A. Bradley’s Blood Runs Coal: The Yablonski Murders and the Battle for the United Mine Workers of America, with Cillian Murphy - fresh from his first Oscar win - attached to produce and star in the film, Deadline reported.

The film is based on Bradley's eyeopening account which follows the 1969 murder of mining union organizer Joseph “Jock” Yablonski, who was killed at home with his wife and daughter. The murders followed Yablonski campaigning against a corrupt union leader, and sparked a lengthy investigation that unveiled dodgy dealings within the mining industry.

Murphy's other film credits include Oppenheimer, The Dark Knight, Red Eye, Dunkirk and Breakfast on Pluto. He also starred as Birmingham gangster Tommy Shelby in the television series Peaky Blinders. Following his recent Best Actor win at the Oscars, Murphy shows no signs of stopping, upcoming  projects such as an adaptation of Claire Keegan's Small Things Like These, Netflix's Steve and the Peaky Blinders film. He’s also set to executive produce 28 Years Later, which will likely see him reprise his role from 28 Days Later.

Jez Butterworth (Spectre, Ford v Ferrari) and John-Henry Butterworth (Get On Up, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) will adapt the screenplay, having previously collaborated on Edge of Tomorrow.

John Davis and Jordan David are slated to produce the project through Davis Entertainment, while Murphy and Alan Moloney will produce through their recently-launched Big Things Films. Author Mark A. Bradley has joined the project as executive producer.