James Howells' Quest to Recover His Lost Bitcoin Fortune Is Getting a Screen Adaptation

A startup is making a docuseries about computer engineer James Howells's lost Bitcoin fortune, which is said to be tied to a hard drive discarded at a landfill in 2013.

Los Angeles-based media startup Lebul announced on Tuesday that it has secured exclusive rights to develop a docuseries and related content around Howells's efforts to recover the hard drive, which is said to hold access to over 8,000 BTC—now worth more than $800 million.

The project, titled The Buried Bitcoin: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt of James Howells, will include a premium documentary series, a podcast, and short-form digital content. Lebul said the project will combine "cinematic storytelling" with real-world stakes, highlighting elements such as blockchain, legal battles, and environmental concerns.

"This isn't just content," said Reese Van Allen, President of Unscripted Entertainment at Lebul. "It's a live-action tech thriller with nearly a billion dollars on the line."

Howells confirmed the partnership, calling it a story "the world is waiting to see." Speaking to The Block, he said Lebul was selected for its creative team and commitment to telling the broader story—including the legal complications and environmental challenges—not just the hunt for the hard drive.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Lebul, a relatively new player in the entertainment industry, claims early interest from sponsors, streaming platforms, and crypto stakeholders.

A Decade-Long Hunt Through 1.4 Million Tonnes of Landfill

Howells, a computer engineer from Newport, South Wales, says the hard drive containing his Bitcoin wallet was mistakenly discarded at the Docksway landfill in 2013. He has spent years trying to gain access to the landfill so he can begin a search.

In January, a UK court dismissed his claim against Newport City Council, ruling the case had no realistic chance of success. Afterward, Howells appealed the decision, but the court rejected that attempt in March.

Despite the legal setbacks, he said he and unnamed investors are open to purchasing the landfill site if the council is willing to sell. He's also exploring alternative funding routes, such as launching a utility token or NFT tied to the recovery effort.

Waste experts estimated his chances of locating the drive at 1 in 902 million, though Howells disputes that figure, arguing the right budget and technology make recovery feasible.

Any takeover of the site would first require environmental clearance from Natural Resources Wales before excavation could proceed.