Flying Scoop Television has optioned the film rights to William Elliott Hazelgrove's narrative nonfiction book "Evil on the Roof of the World: A Cycling Trip That Ended in Terror." The book, published by Bloomsbury on November 13, 2025, tells the heartbreaking true story of Lauren Geoghegan and Jay Austin, two young American idealists who left their stable careers in Washington, D.C. to embark on a global cycling journey that ended tragically in July 2018.
The couple, along with two fellow cyclists, were brutally murdered by five ISIS terrorists on a bleak highway in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan, an area often called "the Roof of the World." Hazelgrove reconstructs their story through their Simply Cycling travel blog, social media posts, interviews with friends and family, and global media coverage, creating what reviewers have compared to Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild" for its sensitive, deeply researched storytelling.
Mark Finkelpearl, Partner and Executive Producer at Flying Scoop, described the project as "heartbreaking, courageous, and deeply cinematic." He emphasized that "Flying Scoop is honored to partner with William Hazelgrove to bring Lauren and Jay's journey — and their legacy — to the screen." The production company, which has produced hundreds of hours of television for networks including National Geographic, Discovery, and Fox Nation, sees this as more than just a true crime adaptation.
"Evil on the Roof of the World is about more than a single act of terror," Finkelpearl explained. "It's a meditation on youthful dreaming, unflinching hope, and what happens when that hope collides with the darkest corners of reality." Nathaniel Starck, Executive Producer and Director, added that their goal is "to adapt the book with integrity — to show the beauty of Lauren and Jay's journey, as well as the tragedy of their loss."
The film adaptation represents a significant development in true story adaptations, focusing on themes of idealism, global connection, and the risks inherent in pursuing unconventional lives. The story resonates particularly in an era where many young professionals question traditional career paths and seek meaningful experiences through travel and adventure. More information about the author can be found at https://www.williamhazelgrove.com.
Flying Scoop, which describes itself as "Content Engineers™" specializing in bold, story-driven content, brings its experience exploring the "hidden edges of society" to this project. Their recent streaming success with "The Real Hatfields and McCoys Forever Feuding" demonstrates their capability in handling complex historical narratives. The adaptation of "Evil on the Roof of the World" continues their focus on real people and outsider perspectives while maintaining high production values.
