Amazon MGM Studios has locked in Josh Heuston to headline its feature adaptation of Throttled, the first installment in Lauren Asher’s phenomenally popular Dirty Air romance series. The announcement, which broke over the weekend, signals a major push by the studio to translate Asher’s literary juggernaut - which has sold millions of copies worldwide - into a cinematic franchise with broad appeal.

Heuston, best known for his breakout role in the Netflix series Heartbreak High, will take on the role of Santiago, a Formula 1 driver whose life is upended by an unexpected romance. While the studio has yet to confirm the full cast or a director, sources close to the project indicate that production is slated to begin in early 2027, with a theatrical release targeted for late 2027 or early 2028.

A Racing Heart at the Center of the Story

For those unfamiliar with the source material, Throttled follows Maya, a college senior with a secret - she writes fanfiction about the notoriously arrogant racer Santiago, only to find herself seated next to him on a flight to Monaco. What begins as a chance encounter spirals into a high-stakes, emotionally charged relationship that pits fame, ambition, and privacy against an undeniable attraction. The novel, published in 2021, became the launchpad for Asher’s Dirty Air series, which includes Collided and Twisted Love, and it earned a devoted following on platforms like TikTok’s BookTok, where fans dissect every detail of the characters’ volatile courtship.

Heuston’s casting as Santiago suggests the studio is aiming for a grounded yet magnetic portrayal - someone who can embody the ruthless confidence of a world-class athlete while still allowing cracks to show as Maya breaks through his defenses. The actor has demonstrated range in both dramatic and comedic roles since his Sydney-based career took off, and industry insiders note his physicality fits the part of a professional driver, a key consideration for a character defined as much by his body language as his dialogue.

From Page to Screen: The Challenge of Adaptation

Bringing Asher’s prose to life presents a distinct set of challenges, particularly for a romance novel celebrated for its dual perspectives and intense internal monologues. Maya’s narration is witty and self-deprecating, while Santiago’s chapters reveal a vulnerability he fiercely guards. Screenwriters tasked with the adaptation must therefore find visual shorthand for the couple’s inner worlds, likely relying on chemistry-driven scenes, racing sequences, and quieter moments of intimacy to carry the emotional weight.

Amazon MGM has not yet named the screenwriter or director, but the studio’s recent track record with book-to-screen projects - including the Die Hart franchise and the upcoming Red, White & Royal Blue sequel - suggests a preference for faithful yet commercially streamlined takes. The Dirty Air series, with its glamorous settings spanning Monaco, Barcelona, and Miami, offers ample opportunity for high-production visuals, but the core appeal lies in the slow-burn tension between two people who should not work together but demonstrably do.

Why Heuston? A Calculated Bet

Heuston’s casting is something of a departure from the older, more established actors Hollywood often courts for romance leads. At 24, he brings a youthful energy that aligns with Santiago’s age in the novel (mid-20s) and with the sensibilities of the book’s predominantly Gen Z readership. His social media presence, which includes millions of followers across Instagram and TikTok, could also prove crucial for marketing, especially in an era where fan campaigns can influence a film’s opening weekend.

Moreover, Heuston has expressed interest in action-oriented roles, having trained for stunt-driving sequences in previous projects. That background will serve him well, given that Throttled includes several on-track scenes requiring either a professional driver or credible stunt doubles. Whether the adaptation will shoot on real circuits or rely on studio backlots with visual effects remains uncertain, but the practical demands of the role were clearly a factor in the casting decision.

Potential Franchise Implications

Perhaps most intriguing is what Throttled’s success could mean for the broader Dirty Air universe. Asher’s series is interconnected, with each book focusing on a different couple while maintaining cameos from prior protagonists. If Throttled performs well, Amazon MGM could greenlight Collided, which follows a model and a Spanish pop star, or Twisted Love, centered on a tech mogul’s sister and her brother’s best friend. That serialized approach mirrors what the studio has done with its other intellectual property and would provide a steady pipeline of content for its theatrical and streaming divisions.

For now, the project remains in pre-production, with casting announcements for Maya and supporting roles expected in the coming months. Fans of the series have already begun speculating online about potential co-stars, with names like Jenna Ortega and Rachel Zegler trending in fan forums. Heuston, for his part, has done little to dampen expectations, posting a cryptic photo of a race car on his Instagram story shortly after the news broke.

A Summer Release in Sight?

While no exact premiere date has been set, Amazon MGM typically schedules major romance adaptations for summer release windows, when audiences are most receptive to character-driven love stories. A late June or early July 2028 slot would place Throttled in direct competition with other tentpole releases, but the novel’s built-in fan base - combined with Heuston’s rising profile - could give the film a fighting chance.

Until then, the wait for more details will only intensify BookTok’s already feverish anticipation. The road from page to screen is rarely smooth, but with a charismatic lead and a story that famously makes readers swoon, Throttled looks poised to deliver the kind of romantic escapism that performs well in any cinematic climate.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter