James Howells, the Welsh IT professional who inadvertently discarded a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins—now worth approximately $750 million—will be the subject of an upcoming Hollywood documentary. The film will chronicle his decade-long quest to retrieve the digital fortune from a landfill in Newport, Wales.
The Los Angeles-based production company Lebul has acquired exclusive rights to produce a film based on Howells’ now-infamous saga. In 2013, the IT engineer accidentally threw away the drive containing the private keys to his Bitcoin holdings. Realizing the error, he began a years-long mission to recover the device from the landfill.
Despite assembling a team of experts and securing funding for the excavation, Newport City Council repeatedly denied him permission, citing environmental and logistical concerns.
Howells proposed multiple solutions, including offering a large share of the recovered funds to the council and local community. He also suggested using advanced technology—such as AI-powered drones and robotic equipment—to minimize environmental impact. However, all proposals were rejected, prompting him to pursue legal action.
Legal Battles and Environmental Stalemates
In December 2024, Howells sued Newport City Council for £495 million, demanding either the right to excavate the landfill or compensation. In January 2025, the High Court dismissed the case, stating it had “no realistic prospect of succeeding.” The judge also declined to affirm Howells’ ownership of the Bitcoins, further complicating the legal battle.
Following the ruling, Howells expressed deep disappointment, acknowledging that his fight might be over unless new opportunities emerge. In a tongue-in-cheek plea, he even appealed to former U.S. President Donald Trump for help—underscoring the desperation and global attention his story continues to attract.
Hollywood Adapts a Billion-Dollar Tech Thriller
Now, the saga is heading to the screen. Lebul plans to develop the story into what it calls a “bold, multi-platform media venture,” which will include a high-quality docuseries, a companion podcast, and a global social media campaign with short-form content.
“This isn’t just content. It’s a live-action tech thriller with nearly a billion dollars on the line—and Lebul is proud to bring it to the world,” said Reese Van Allen, the company’s president of unscripted entertainment.
According to Howells, Lebul was selected not only for its storytelling vision, but also for its commitment to help him mount a global media campaign to boost his long-term goal of acquiring the Docksway waste site outright.
Howells believes the series will spotlight broader themes of loss, resilience, and second chances in the digital age.
“The documentary will expose the environmental contradictions of Newport City Council and shine a light on the long-term financial obligations taxpayers face from maintaining a closed landfill,” he said,
“while also introducing a global narrative built around technology, reclamation, and digital ownership.”
Quick Facts
- Los Angeles studio Lebul will produce a film on James Howells’ lost Bitcoin saga.
- Howells mined 8,000 BTC in 2009, lost the drive in 2013, and has fought to recover it ever since.
- The Bitcoin stash is currently valued at over $750 million.
- Newport City Council has denied all excavation efforts due to environmental risks.
