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It’s not every day that an independently produced film becomes the #1 movie on Netflix. And it’s even rarer when said indie film isn’t a buzzy festival title, but an action film produced on a shoestring budget outside the United States. But that’s exactly what happened on July 18, when William Eubank’s “Land of Bad” shot to the top of the streaming service’s charts seemingly out of nowhere.

The military thriller stars Russell Crowe as a drone pilot who is forced to provide remote support to direct the sole survivor (Liam Hemsworth) of a brutal firefight to safety. The film was produced for a mere $20 million, yet became the kind of streaming and VOD phenomenon that countless producers working with much larger budgets can only dream of.

How do you get so much out of so little? In a recent conversation with IndieWire, “Land of Bad...

Elizabeth Olsen and Charles Melton have nabbed lead roles in Todd Solondz’s new feature Love Child.

The darkly comic film follows Misty as she is stuck in a loveless marriage with a brutish husband and her precocious 11-year-old as her only consolation. When Easy, a handsome vagabond stranger, appears, the son hatches a plan to replace the father with a new husband, only for that to backfire and a more devious and disastrous scheme to emerge.

Killer Films, Volition Media and Gramercy Park Media are teaming with Rocket Science, which is handling international sales and will launch the project at the European Film Market in Berlin.

Cindy Bru of Volition Media, Christine Vachon of Killer Films, David Hinojosa of 2Am and Ford Corbett of Gramercy Park Media will produce. Michael Jefferson, Adam Beasley, Atilla Yucer, Joshua Harris and Steven Farneth will executive produce.

The film is fully financed by...

“May December” breakout Charles Melton has lined up another major feature and is set to star alongside Elizabeth Olsen in Todd Solondz’s next film, the darkly comic “Love Child.”

Killer Films, 2Am (“Past Lives”) Volition Media and Gramercy Park Media are teaming with Rocket Science to bring the project to this week’s European Film Market.

“Love Child” follows Misty, who is stuck in a loveless marriage to a brutish husband. Junior, her precocious 11-year-old is her only consolation. When Easy, a handsome vagabond stranger, appears, Junior hatches a plan to get rid of his father so that his mother can marry him instead. But things end up backfiring, so Junior comes up with yet another plan, this one even more devious, and with more disastrous—and unexpected—consequences.

Cindy Bru of Volition Media, Christine Vachon of Killer Films, David Hinojosa of 2Am and Ford Corbett of Gramercy Park Media will produce.

Elizabeth Olsen and May December star Charles Melton will star in Todd Solondz’s next film, the darkly comic Love Child.

Rocket Science will launch sales on the project at this week’s European Film Market.

Love Child is produced by Cindy Bru of Volition Media, Christine Vachon of Killer Films and David Hinojosa of 2Am. Executive producers are Michael Jefferson, Adam Beasley, Atilla Yucer, Joshua Harris and Steven Farneth.

The film is fully financed by Volition Media and Gramercy Park Media. Rocket Science is handling international sales at EFM; Cinetic Media and WME co-represent US rights.

The story follows...

BAFTA, Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Elizabeth Olsen (Avengers: Infinity War) and Golden Globe nominee Charles Melton (May December) are set to star in Todd Solondz’s darkly comic new feature Love Child.

The story follows Misty who is stuck in a loveless marriage to a brutish husband. Junior, her precocious 11-year-old is her only consolation. When Easy, a handsome vagabond stranger, appears, Junior hatches a plan to get rid of his father so that his mother can marry him instead. But things end up backfiring, so Junior comes up with yet another plan, this one even more devious, and with more disastrous—and unexpected—consequences.

Killer Films (Past Lives), 2Am (Past Lives) Volition Media (Sam and Kate) and Gramercy Park Media (The Fabulous Four) are teaming with Rocket Science to bring the project to this week’s EFM.

Cindy Bru of Volition Media, Christine Vachon of Killer Films, David Hinojosa...

Liam Hemsworth partakes on a mission-gone-wrong in the new trailer for Land of Bad. The action film stars Liam Hemsworth, Russell Crowe, Luke Hemsworth, Ricky Whittle and Milo Ventimiglia. William Eubank directs from a script he co-wrote with David Frigerio. Producers include David Frigerio, Will Eubank, Michael Jefferson, Adam Beasley, Nathan Klingher, Ryan Winterstern, Arianne Fraser, Petr Jákl and Mark Fasano. The executive producers on the film include Tracey Robertson, Nathan Mayfield, Tracey Vieira, Luke Hemsworth, Delphine Perrier and Vanessa Yao Guo.

The official synopsis reads,

“Starring Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth, a covert Special Forces operation in the South Philippines spirals into a brutal 48-hour battle for survival. When an elite extraction team is ambushed deep in enemy territory, rookie officer Kinney (Hemsworth) is left outnumbered but determined to leave no man behind. With an air strike closing in, Kinney’s only hope hinges on the guidance of Air...

Josh Duhamel (Transformers franchise) is set to join Zachary Levi (Shazam! Fury of the Gods) in the survival thriller ‘Not Without Hope.’

Based on the New York Times non-fiction best-seller, the story follows best friends Nick Schuyler (Zachary Levi) and Will Bleakley (Marshall Cook), and NFL players Marquis Cooper (Quentin Plair) and Corey Smith (Terrence Terrell), as they depart Clearwater, Florida for a day trip at their favourite fishing spot 70 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. As a severe storm heads their way, a trapped anchor causes their boat to capsize, throwing the four friends violently into the freezing water. US Coast Guard Captain Timothy Close (Josh Duhamel) and his crew summon their largest ship to cut through the raging ocean as the group battles massive waves, dehydration, severe hypothermia, and marine predators, in their epic struggle to survive and return home to their distraught loved ones.

Also in news – Idris Elba,...

Josh Duhamel will join the ensemble of the survival thriller “Not Without Hope,” an adaptation of Nick Schuyler and Jere Longman’s best-selling book that will be written and directed by Joe Carnahan. Also joining the cast are JoBeth Williams, Quentin Plair, Terrence Terrell and Marshall Cook.

As previously announced, Zachary Levi (“Shazam!”) is starring in the film, which tells the real-life story of a tragic 2009 boating accident involving Schuyler, his friends Will Bleakley (Cook) and NFL players Marquis Cooper (Plair) and Corey Smith (Terrell). Levi will play Schuyler.

The search-and rescue-operation captivated national attention. Duhamel will portray U.S. Coast Guard Captain Timothy Close, who oversaw a crew that cut through the ocean to try to find the friends who went missing. Carnahan has some experience orchestrating survival tales, having previously directed “The Grey,” which found Liam Neeson battling very hungry wolves after a plane crash stranded his character in a snowy mountain range.

Highland Film Group represents for international sales.

Josh Duhamel (Transformers franchise) is joining Zachary Levi (Shazam! Fury Of The Gods) in Joe Carnahan’s survival thriller Not Without Hope, which has begun production in Malta.

The feature is based on the true story of a US Coast Guard Captain (Duhamel) and his crew who set out to rescue two best friends and two American Football players whose boat capsizes on a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico.

Also joining the cast are JoBeth Williams (The Big Chill), Quentin Plair (Hulu’s Tiny Beautiful Things), Terrence Terrell (Netflix’s Obliterated...

Exclusive: Oscar nominee Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Movie Film), two-times Cesar Award nominee Jean Reno (Leon), Ty Simpkins (Jurassic World) and Connie Nielsen (Gladiator) are attached to star in action movie Birdseye, which The Exchange will be launching for international sales ahead of the Cannes market.

Inspired by the book Sexpionage: The Exploitation of Sex by Soviet Intelligence, the story will follow an impoverished young Russian woman drawn into Vladimir Putin’s crusade to re-fight the Cold War. She thrives as a high-level ‘swallow’ spy in Washington until her childhood love, now a merciless ‘raven’ assassin, is sent by Mother Russia to kill her. CAA Media Finance is repping domestic rights.

Pic is being produced by Aloe Entertainment’s founder Mary Aloe (Bruised), Gillian Hormel (Bruised), and Michael Jefferson (Land Of Bad). Executive producers are Jonathan Halperyn, Danny Kresmery, Hannah Leader, Tiffany FitzHenry and Sharon Paul. Screenplay comes from Aloe...

With Warner Bros.’ Shazam! Fury of the Gods gearing up for release next month, lead star Zachary Levi has lined up another major project.

The actor is set to take the lead in survival thriller Not Without Hope. Adapted from Nick Schuyler and Jere Longman’s best-selling novel of the same name, the film is written and directed by Joe Carnahan (The Grey, Boss Level). Highland Film Group is handling international sales, which will launch at the European Film Market.

Based on a true story, Not Without Hope follows best friends Schuyler (Levi) and Will Bleakley, and NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith, as they depart Clearwater, Florida for a day trip at their favorite fishing spot 70 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. As a severe storm heads their way, a trapped anchor causes their boat to capsize, throwing the four friends violently into the freezing water. With...

Exclusive: Hannah John-Kamen (Ant-Man And The Wasp) and Theo Rossi (Sons of Anarchy) are set to star in the sci-fi thriller Rachel, which Highland Film Group is launching for next week’s EFM.

The film will follow new mother Rachel (John-Kamen) who seemingly has the perfect life except she doesn’t recall the recent birth of her baby boy or even being pregnant. Her cookie-cutter husband Stephen (Rossi) deflects her probing questions as strange neighbors begin stalking her. Flooded with memories of an 11-year-old girl who seemed to be her daughter, the film will chart how Rachel’s perfectly constructed world begins to tear apart.

Pic is being directed by Jenn Wexler, who made her directorial debut with the SXSW horror film The Ranger and is completing post production on The Sacrifice Game starring Mena Massoud and Olivia Scott Welch, and is written by playwright Vincent Delaney.

Producers are Jib Polhemus and Volition Media’s Michael Jefferson (Land of Bad). The film is executive-produced by Adam Beasley and Cindy Bru of Volition Media.

Highland is representing worldwide rights with production slated to start this spring in Minnesota.

Rising actress John-Kamen is known for Ready Player One, Netflix mini-series The Stranger, Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City, and most notably for her role as the villainous Ghost in Marvel’s Ant-Man And The Wasp. She will reprise her role in the upcoming film Thunderbolts.

Theo Rossi most recently starred opposite Aubrey Plaza in Sundance title Emily The Criminal, which garnered him a Best Supporting Performance at the Indie Spirits. He is best known for Marvel’s Luke Cage, Sons of Anarchy and Army of the Dead. He will next be seen opposite Jason Bateman, Taron Egerton and Sofia Carson in the Jaume Collet-Serra directed thriller Carry On for Netflix and Amblin.

“We are delighted to be working with such talented actors as Hannah John-Kamen and Theo Rossi on this chilling sci-fi story. They will cleverly showcase the seemingly perfect relationship between Rachel and her husband which quickly devolves into a chase to uncover the strange new world around them,” said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser.

“Rachel is a smart, intense and nerve-wracking thriller full of twists and turns. We are proud to have another wonderful opportunity to empower women both in front of and behind the camera,” added Highland COO Delphine Perrier.

John-Kamen is repped by Luber/Rocklin and Paradigm; Rossi is repped by Paradigm, Entertainment 360 and Schreck Rose Dapello; Wexler is reppped by CAA, Hitman Studios, and attorney Chris Abramson.

After her No. 1 single “About Damn Time” was touted among the songs of the summer, Lizzo is now staking her claim on the holiday season. The Grammy and Emmy-winning star is set to debut her intimate documentary “Love, Lizzo” on HBO Max for Thanksgiving, with a “Live in Concert” special to follow on New Year’s Eve.

When Variety caught up with the entertainer on Thanksgiving eve — just a few hours before the documentary’s midnight debut — Lizzo’s recently acquired Emmy trophy was positioned just outside of the Zoom frame.

“It’s by my bed normally,” she says, explaining. “I won the Emmy and went straight on tour, so I never got to put it on my shelf. Then this morning I did the ‘Today’ show, and they mentioned my Emmy, so I brought it over for their cameras, so that’s funny that she’s just right there.

photo credit Kane Skennar

The first look photo has been released for the upcoming action thriller Land Of Bad starring Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe, Liam Hemsworth (Independence Day: Resurgence, The Hunger Games), Luke Hemsworth (HBO’s “Westworld”), Milo Ventimiglia (NBC’s “This is Us”), Ricky Whittle (Starz’s “American Gods”), Daniel MacPherson and Chika Ikogwe (Netflix’s “Heartbreak High”).

Directed by Will Eubank and co-written by Eubank and David Frigerio (Lionsgate’s Crypto, Focus Features’ The Signal), Highland Film Group has locked distribution deals in key territories for Land of Bad with Rialto Distribution for Australia and New Zealand, Wild Bunch for Germany, Blue Swan Entertainment for Italy, YouPlanet Pictures for Spain, Nos Lusomundo Audiovisuals for Portugal, Spentzos Film for Greece, Vertical Entertainment for Eastern Europe, Moviebox for Turkey, MovieCloud for Taiwan, Pictureworks for India, First Run Inc. for South Korea, Imagem Filmes for South America, Filmfinity for South...

Production underway on Australia’s Gold Coast and southeast Queensland.

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Highland Film Group has released a first-look image from the Australia set of Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth action thriller Land Of Bad and announced a raft of pre-sales.

Production is underway on Australia’s Gold Coast and southeast Queensland on the story about an Air Force drone pilot (Crowe) who becomes the only hope for a rookie air support controller dispatched to extract a Delta Force team from the Philippines.

Rights have gone in Australia and New Zealand (Rialto Distribution), Germany (Wild Bunch), South Korea (First Run...

Emmy-winning actor Guy Pearce and Jeffrey Dean Morgan have boarded “Neponset Circle,” a dark and gritty crime thriller based on a real-life murder that shook the Boston area and remains unsolved to this day.

The Exchange, handling the international sales rights, is introducing the title to buyers at next week’s American Film Market in Santa Monica, CA.

The film, written by John Chase, will be directed by Pauline Chan (“33 Postcards”), and produced by Landafar Entertainment’s Grant Cramer, Volition Media’s Cindy Bru and Adam Beasley, and Wild Lunch Entertainment’s Joram Moreka. Executive producers include Ford Corbett, Michael Jefferson, Len Gibson and Wayne Overstreet.

Cinematographer Toby Oliver (“Get Out”), who previously worked with Chan and Pearce on “33 Postcards,” will be behind the lens.

Against a backdrop of politics and corruption, “Neponset Circle” follows a brilliant but disgraced detective Jimmy O’Mannon, fresh out of prison and trying to rebuild his life.

Shooting underway on the film, which also stars Milo Ventimiglia.

Signature Entertainment has boarded UK-Ireland, France and Scandinavia rights on action-thriller Land Of Bad, as production gets underway on the Gold Coast and in South East Queensland, Australia.

Signature is planning an early 2024 release for the film, which stars Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth.

Directed by Will Eubank, the cast also includes Luke Hemsworth, Milo Ventimiglia, Ricky Whittle, Daniel MacPherson and Chika Ikogwe.

Land Of Bad is written by Eubank and David Frigerio, who previously co-wrote 2014 sci-fi The Signal, also directed by Eubank.

The duo are also producers on Land...

Click here to read the full article.

The Austin Film Festival has unveiled its 2022 lineup, which includes Bob Saget’s final movie, the Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek-starrer Sam & Kate, and a filmmaking honor for Darren Aronofsky, the director of the festival’s opening night film The Whale.

This year’s slate features over 33 world, North American, U.S. and Texas premieres including Saget’s last film appearance, the Jeremy Lalonde-directed Daniel’s Gotta Die. The film also stars Jason Jones, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Carly Chaikin and Iggy Pop.

“Bob’s passing came as a shock to the entire Daniel’s Gotta Die team. He was a collaborator through and through and he really loved this film,” Lalonde said. “It’s with great sadness that he never got to see it finished. I can’t wait to see how audiences react to his final performance at Austin Film...

Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has continued its feature film investment strategy by completing pre-buy financing and securing North American and UK/Ireland distribution rights to Sam & Kate, a family dramedy starring Oscar winners Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek. The film from writer-director Darren Le Gallo, also starring the former actor’s son Jake Hoffman and the latter’s daughter Schuyler Fisk, is slated for a theatrical release on November 11.

Le Gallo’s feature directorial debut takes place in a small town in the heart of the country. Hoffman plays Bill, the larger-than-life father to Sam (Jake Hoffman), who has returned home to take care of his ailing dad. While home, Sam falls for a local woman, Kate (Schuyler Fisk). And at the same time, Bill starts to fall for her mom, Tina (Spacek). But finding love is complicated, and for these four, it is no different. They all must confront their...

Luke Hemsworth is amongst a number of actors to be adding to the cast line-up for the upcoming film ‘Land of Bad.’

Milo Ventimiglia (“This Is Us”), Ricky Whittle (“American Gods”), Daniel MacPherson and Chika Ikogwe (“Heartbreak High”) also join the cast that features Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth.

The film follows Reaper (Crowe), an Air Force drone pilot supporting a Delta Force special ops mission in the South Philippines. After the mission goes terribly wrong, Reaper has 48 hours to remedy what has devolved into a wild rescue operation. The Tier-One team, led by Cpt. Sugar (Ventimigila) and Sgt. Abel (Luke Hemsworth) is re-deployed to return and retrieve their captured man and the asset. They are joined by Kinney (Liam Hemsworth), a green Air Force Jtac officer, who is thrust into the middle of a high-stakes extraction. But the ground mission suddenly turns upside down and becomes a full-scale battle...

Luke Hemsworth (Westworld) and Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us) have joined the cast of the upcoming action-thriller Land of Bad, starring Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth.

The two actors are set to star in the film alongside Ricky Whittle (American Gods), Daniel MacPherson, and Chika Ikogwe (Heartbreak High). Will Eubank will direct the flick from a screenplay he co-wrote with David Frigerio (The Signal).

The film is being produced by Broken Open Pictures’ David Frigerio, Will Eubank, Volition Media Partners’ Adam Beasley and Michael Jefferson, R.U. Robot, and Highland Film Group. Highland Film Group is representing international rights to the movie.

In the film, Russell Crowe stars as Reaper, an Air Force drone pilot supporting a Delta Force special ops mission in the South Philippines. After the mission goes terribly wrong, he has 48 hours to remedy what has devolved into a wild rescue operation.

Luke Hemsworth (“Westworld”), Milo Ventimiglia (“This Is Us”), Ricky Whittle (“American Gods”), Daniel MacPherson and Chika Ikogwe (“Heartbreak High”) join Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth in the cast of action thriller “Land of Bad.”

The previously announced title will shoot from later this month on the Gold Coast and Southeast Queensland, it was announced on Thursday.

“Land of Bad” follows Reaper (Crowe), an Air Force drone pilot supporting a Delta Force special ops mission in the South Philippines. After the mission goes terribly wrong, Reaper has 48 hours to remedy what has devolved into a wild rescue operation. The Tier-One team, led by Cpt. Sugar (Ventimigila) and Sgt. Abel (Luke Hemsworth) is re-deployed to return and retrieve their captured man and the asset. They are joined by Kinney (Liam Hemsworth), a green Air Force Jtac officer, who is thrust into the middle of a high-stakes extraction. But the ground mission suddenly...

Action thriller set to begin shooting in Australia this month.

Westworld star Luke Hemsworth is to join brother Liam Hemsworth and Russell Crowe in Highland Film Group’s action thriller and TIFF sales titles Land Of Bad.

With shooting set to take place on Australia’s Gold Coast and South East Queensland from this month, further new cast members include This Is Us star Milo Ventimiglia, Ricky Whittle of American Gods, Daniel MacPherson and Chika Ikogwe.

Will Eubank will direct and co-wrote the film with David Frigerio, having previously worked together on Focus Features’ 2014 sci-fi The Signal.

In Land Of Bad,...

Getting romantic dramas made in today’s cinematic landscape is becoming more and more challenging, yet veteran director Andy Fickman, who is currently in production on the buzzy indie “One True Loves,” remains cheerful and optimistic about the genre. “In general, and pretty much short of being a tentpole, it’s very hard to get things made. People aren’t making romantic dramedies that much anymore, but at the same time, there’s a real need for content because of the streaming outlets,” says Fickman, whose energy level remains high even after shooting an all-nighter. Highland Film Group is representing international rights to “One True Loves,” and is co-financing the picture alongside Blue Rider’s Walter Josten. Highland Film Group’s domestic arm, the Avenue, is distributing domestically.

Starring the red-hot Simu Liu, who currently stars in Marvel’s box office smash “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,...

Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has nabbed North American and UK rights to Last Survivors, a dystopian thriller starring Alicia Silverstone, Stephen Moyer, and Drew Van Acker, ahead of its world premiere at London’s FrightFest Film Festival on October 30, with plans for a day-and-date release across both territories in February 2022.

The post-apocalyptic pic centers on Troy (Moyer), who has raised his now grown son, Jake (Van Acker), in a wooded utopia thousands of miles away from the decayed cities. When Troy is severely wounded, Jake is forced to travel to the outside world to find life-saving medicine. While he’s ordered to kill any humans he encounters, Jake defies his father by engaging in a forbidden relationship with a mysterious woman, Henrietta (Silverstone). As Jake continues this dangerous affair, Troy will do anything to get rid of Henrietta and protect the perfect world he created for himself and his son.

The...

Exclusive: Michaela Conlin has joined the ensemble cast of the adaptation of One True Loves. The film stars Phllipa Soo, Simu Liu and Luke Bracey with Andy Fickman on board to direct. Taylor Jenkins Reid and Alex Jenkins Reid will adapt the script.

Based on the Jenkins novel, the story tells a moving love story about a woman unexpectedly forced to choose between the husband she has long thought dead and the fiancé who finally has brought her back to life.

Willie Kutner, Andy Fickman, Betsy Sullenger, Michael Jefferson and Sarah Finn are producing with Taylor Jenkins Reid, Alex Jenkins Reid and Adam Beasley executive producing. CAA Media Finance is representing the film’s North American distribution rights. Production is set to begin in the fall in Massachusetts.

Conlin is repped by APA, Mosaic and McKuin Frankel Whitehead.

Highland Film Group has pre-sold distribution rights to key international territories on romance “One True Loves,” starring Simu Liu (“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”).

The film adaption of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s bestselling novel also stars Emmy and Tony-nominated Phillipa Soo (“Hamilton”) and Luke Bracey (“Holidate”). Written by Alex J. and Taylor Jenkins Reid, the film will be directed by Andy Fickman (“Playing With Fire”), and follows the love story of a woman unexpectedly forced to choose between the husband she has long thought dead and the fiancé who has finally brought her back to life.

Highland Film Group represented international rights at the Toronto International Film Festival with the company’s domestic distribution arm, The Avenue, acquiring U.S. domestic rights. SquareOne Entertainment, who are also executive producing alongside Highland Film Group, has picked up all German-speaking territories.

Signature Entertainment has acquired the U.K. and Ireland,...

The Avenue to distribute in US; Highland to launch international sales at TIFF.

Highland Film Group has come on board to co-finance and has acquired worldwide rights to romance One True Loves starring Phillipa Soo from Hamilton, Simu Liu from this week’s Marvel Studios release Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, and Luke Bracey from Holidate.

Highland will launch international sales at Toronto International Film Festival next week while distribution division The Avenue which launched last year will release in the US.

Andy Fickman (Parental Guidance) will direct from the adapted screenplay by Alex J. Reid and...

Company to distribute roster of completed titles in US.

Vertical Entertainment continues to grow its international business and is in talks on a virtual Cannes market slate led by thriller Last Survivors starring Alicia Silverstone and civil rights drama Son Of The South executive produced by Spike Lee.

Head of international sales and distribution Ryan Keller and his team have been taking meetings this week on the international sales roster, which includes sci-fi thriller Risen, horror Shook, thriller Stalker, and The Resort. All titles are completed and Vertical will distribute in the US.

Drew Mylrea directed the thriller Last Survivors,...

The film adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s bestseller “One True Loves” has set a trio of buzzy actors at the lead.

Phillipa Soo (original “Hamilton” cast), Simu Liu (lead of Marvel’s “Shang-Chi”), and Luke Bracey (Netflix’s top-rated holiday romp “Holidate”) are all on board.

The film will be directed by Andy Fickman, and follows the moving love story of a woman unexpectedly forced to choose between the husband she has long thought dead and the fiancé who has finally brought her back to life.

Though not yet attached to a distributor, production is set to begin after summer in Massachusetts. Willie Kutner, Fickman, Betsy Sullenger, Michael Jefferson and Sarah Finn are producing the project with the author’s husband, Alex Jenkins Reid. Adam Beasley is executive producing. Finn is also casting. CAA Media Finance is handling North American sales.

Jenkins Reid is best known for the NY...

Tony Award winner Phllipa Soo, Simu Liu and Luke Bracey are set to star in the adaptation of the Taylor Jenkins Reid’s One True Love, with Andy Fickman on board to direct. Taylor Jenkins Reid and Alex Jenkins Reid will adapt the script.

The film tells a moving love story about a woman unexpectedly forced to choose between the husband she has long thought dead and the fiancé who finally has brought her back to life.

Willie Kutner, Andy Fickman, Betsy Sullenger, Michael Jefferson and Sarah Finn are producing with Taylor Jenkins Reid, Alex Jenkins Reid and Adam Beasley executive producing. CAA Media Finance is representing the film’s North American distribution rights.

Production is set to begin in the fall in Massachusetts.

Soo is best known for originating the role of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton in Broadway’s Hamilton, garnering her numerous industry awards and a Tony Award nomination.

Exclusive: Drew Van Acker, Alicia Silverstone and Stephen Moyer have just wrapped production on Shtf (Sh*t Hits the Fan), a sci-fi thriller directed by Drew Mylrea from a script by Josh Janowicz. Shooting just finished in Butte, Mt.

The pic is set in the aftermath of an apocalyptic event that forces people into extreme isolation. A father (Moyer) and son (Van Acker), who have been living off grid for 20 years, encounter an outsider (Silverstone) who threatens to destroy the utopia they’ve built.

Sunil Perkash, Colin Bates, Akaash Yadav and Michael Jefferson are producing. Van Acker, Wes Hull and Daniel Brandt are executive producers.

For Pretty Little Liars alum Van Acker, the movie marks a reteam with Mylrea after the actor starred in the director’s Spy Intervention last year opposite Poppy Delevingne. He also plays Aqualad on DC Universe’s Titans and is repped by ICM Partners and Luber/Roklin.

That’s a title with a ton of exploitation promise, don’t you think? Now imagine being a ten year old movie freak that ingested anything remotely salacious or possibly brain-damaging into his system to increase his cinematic database. A match made in heaven? Probably not in the eyes of those who would shelter such fragile minds from the grotesque and lurid underbelly of commercial film, but a definite boon to the kid looking specifically for the grotesque and lurid. Well folks, the buck pretty much not only stops at The Exterminator (1980), it finds itself aflame as celluloid floats to the ground in messy tribute. The ash of this one spread everywhere.

And I know, it’s not horror; but to a ten year old, exploitation and horror is completely simpatico - violence, nudity, and degradation were not only on the menu, they were pretty much alone on the laminated list.

In today’s film news roundup, Patrick Wilson, Charlie Plummer and Miles Teller score roles in upcoming movies, and Stx moves its Gerard Butler sci-fier “Greenland” back two weeks.

Castings

Patrick Wilson will star alongside Halle Berry and Josh Gad in Roland Emmerich’s forthcoming science fiction epic “Moonfall.”

Charlie Plummer is also joining the cast. Lionsgate acquired North American rights to “Moonfall” late last year and plans a 2021 release.

“Moonfall” centers on a mysterious force knocking the Moon from its orbit around Earth and sending it hurtling on a collision course with life as we know it. A ragtag team launches an impossible last-ditch mission into space to prevent annihilation.

Wilson will play a disgraced former Nasa astronaut whose previous space mission holds a clue about an impending catastrophe. Plummer plays Wilson’s character’s teenage son. Wilson is re-uniting with Emmerich after collaborating together in last fall’s “Midway.

“Whiplash” and “Top Gun: Maverick” star Miles Teller is set to star in a true story of a boating disaster called “Not Without Hope” that will be executive produced by NFL quarterback Russell Wilson and singer and songwriter Ciara, Highland Film Group announced Friday.

Highland Film Group is representing international sales on the film from director Rupert Wainwright at the upcoming Cannes virtual marketplace, while CAA Media Finance is handling the domestic rights.

“Not Without Hope” is based on a non-fiction book by Nick Schuyler and Jere Longman of the same name about a pair of best friends and two NFL players who are trapped in freezing water after a storm hits and their boat capsizes. Here’s the full synopsis:

Also Read: 'Top Gun: Maverick' Star Miles Teller Admits It's Hard Keeping up With Tom Cruise

Best friends Nick Schuyler (Miles Teller) and Will Bleakley, and NFL...

Not only are drive-ins making a comeback as the nation seeks movie-viewing alternatives in the slow recovery from the pandemic, but they’re actually taking a chance on films.

Vertical Entertainment will bow the Bella Thorne action-crime thriller Infamous in close to three dozen drive-ins on the east coast, in the midwest and the south. The film will also be available in digital virtual cinemas, all starting on Friday, June 12.

The pic was written and directed by Joshua Caldwell. The deal was negotiated by Peter Jarowey and Josh Spector at Vertical with Arianne Fraser of Highland Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers. Highland is repping foreign sales on Infamous.

Thorne plays Arielle, a young woman who lives in a small Florida town, stuck in a diner job. Arielle has always wanted more: fame, popularity and admiration. But when she falls for a recently paroled young criminal named Dean, she...

Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has acquired the North American distribution rights to the Bella Thorne feature Infamous, Deadline has learned. The distributor has set a virtual cinema and VOD release date of June 12 for the pic which was written and directed by Joshua Caldwell.

The deal was negotiated by Peter Jarowey and Josh Spector at Vertical with Arianne Fraser of Highland Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers. Highland is repping foreign sales on Infamous.

Thorne plays Arielle, a young woman who lives in a small Florida town, stuck in a diner job. Arielle has always wanted more: fame, popularity and admiration. But when she falls for a recently paroled young criminal named Dean, she drags him back into a life of danger, learning that posting their criminal exploits on social media is an easy way to viral fame. They embark on a dangerous adventure together that leads to robbery, cop chases,...

Exclusive: Jaeden Martell, who is having a busy weekend between It Chapter Two opening and Knives Out making its world premiere here at Tiff, has just joined the Highland Film Group feature Tunnels opposite Oscar winner Susan Sarandon.

Directed by John Krokidas (Kill Your Darlings) and written by Victoria Rose, the pic is set years after a school shooting and follows a grandmother (Sarandon) who raised the shooter. She finds an unlikely but wonderful friendship in a bullied teenage boy (Martell) whose brother was one of the victims. Through each other, these two outsiders find redemption against the backdrop of a town still grieving. With their strength and ability to forgive, they help one another heal.

Colin Bates and Michael Jefferson (Son of the South) will produce under the Lucidity Entertainment banner (Southland) alongside Circle of Confusion’s Matt Smith (Maleficent) and Brad Mendelsohn (Daisy Jones and the...

Susan Sarandon has been set to star in Tunnels, the new film from Kill Your Darlings director John Krokidas. The drama based on Victoria Rose’s debut feature screenplay is being produced by Lucidity Entertainment and Circle of Confusion. Highland Film Group is now handling international sales and UTA Independent Film Group domestic at the Cannes film market.

The movie is set in the wake of a school shooting, when an unlikely friendship develops between Ruby Love (Sarandon), the grandmother who raised the shooter, and Grayson Mitchell, the teenage brother of one of the victims, when paired to work together at the local supermarket. The two outsiders help each other to find hope in a town still too stuck in its recent history to see the potential of something beautiful on the horizon.

Colin Bates and Michael Jefferson are producing for Lucidity, which is now in production on Son of the South,...

Susan Sarandon is to star in John Krokidas’ debut feature “Tunnels,” which Highland Film Group is selling in Cannes.

The film is set in the wake of a school shooting, when an unlikely friendship develops between Ruby Love (Sarandon), the grandmother who raised the shooter, and Grayson Mitchell, the teenage brother of one of the victims, when paired to work together at the local supermarket.

The screenplay is written by Victoria Rose. Colin Bates and Michael Jefferson will produce for Lucidity Entertainment with Ethan Terra and Cindy Bru serving as executive producers. Circle of Confusion’s Matt Smith (“Maleficent”) and Brad Mendelsohn (“Rim of the World”) will produce along with Circle of Confusion’s Frank Frattaroli, who will executive produce.

Highland describes it as “an inspiring and surprisingly funny story of two outsiders helping each other to find hope in a town still too stuck in its recent history to...

Victoria Rose wrote screenplay about unlikely friendship between supermarket workers.

Susan Sarandon will star in John Krokidas’ (Kill Your Darlings) Tunnels, which Highland Film Group has introduced to buyers in Cannes.

Victoria Rose wrote the screenplay about the unlikely friendship that develops between the grandmotherof a shooter and the teenage brother of one of the victims when they are paired together to work at the local supermarket.

Colin Bates and Michael Jefferson will produce through Lucidity Entertainment alongside Circle of Confusion’s Matt Smith and Brad Mendelsohn will produce, with Ethan Terra and Cindy Bru and with Circle of Confusion...

Jake Manley will star opposite Bella Thorne in “Southland,” Variety has learned.

The film centers on a diner employee named Arielle who dreams of a better life outside of her small Florida town. After falling for a young parolee named Dean, she convinces him to return to his criminal ways. With the goal of becoming famous, Arielle and Dean start to promote their law-breaking exploits on social media. Things escalate into robbery, cop chases and murder.

Manley currently appears on the Netflix horror series “The Order” and is part of the ensemble cast of Roland Emmerich’s upcoming World War II epic “Midway.” Later this month, he can be seen in the family film “A Dog’s Journey” with Dennis Quaid and Josh Gad.

The movie is written and directed by Joshua Caldwell. Colin Bates and Michael Jefferson of Lucidity Entertainment are producing alongside Thor Bradwell and Scott Levenson. Garrett Clayton,...

Exclusive: Assassination Nation and Famous In Love star Bella Thorne is set to star in writer-director Joshua Caldwell’s (Layover) crime feature Southland, about two young lovers who rob their way across the southland, posting their exploits to social media, and gaining fame and followers as a result.

Colin Bates (Maggie) and Michael Jefferson (Keys To The City) of Lucidity Entertainment are producing alongside Thor Bradwell (Jeremiah Terminator LeRoy) and Scott Levenson (King Cobra). Garrett Clayton, Katie Leary, Bennett Litwin and Adam Litwin will serve as executive producers. Highland Film Group will handle world sales, which commence in Berlin this week. Additional casting is underway.

The story follows Arielle (Thorne) who works in a diner in a small Florida town. When she falls for a recently paroled young criminal she drags him back into a life of danger, learning that posting their criminal exploits on social media is an easy way to viral fame.

Title: Phobia Rlj Entertainment Director: Rory Abel Writers: Rory Douglas Abel, Matthew Barnes Cast: Michael Jefferson, Emma Dubery, Sarah Schoofs Running time: 84 min, Not Rated Special Features: Commentary by Producer Elias Ganster and Director Rory Abel, Deleted Scenes, Concept Art Available November 25th After a car accident that claimed the life of his wife, Michael Jefferson has become agoraphobic and will not step one foot outside. He has friends who visit from time to time and he has his groceries delivered. He holds down a job as a transcriptionist, so his life is bound completely to his house. He starts a romantic/sexual relationship with the delivery girl, but he  [ Read More ]

The post Phobia DVD Review appeared first on Shockya.com.

On November 25th, Image Entertainment brings Phobia to DVD. Directed by Rory Douglas Abel, the film stars Michael Jefferson, Emma Dubery, Sarah Schoofs, and Peter Gregus.

How about that cover art?!

Jonathan MacKinlay (Jefferson) is a man trapped inside his home by his own mind. Suffering from agoraphobia, caused by a car accident that took his wife's life; his existence has been reduced to a monotonous repetition of identical days.

The post Phobia Dated for DVD Release, Cover Art & Trailer Revealed appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

Time to kick your weekend off with a good scare, kids! On tap right now we have the exclusive trailer premiere for Phobia from Rlj/Image Entertainment. Check it out, and look for more on this one soon!

Michael Jefferson, Emma Dubery, Sarah Schoofs, and Peter Gregus star. The flick was written by Matthew Barnes and Rory Abel, produced by Elias (Gut) and Mike Aransky (London Betty), and directed by Rory Abel.

Look for Phobia on November 25th!

Synopsis

Jonathan MacKinlay is a man trapped inside his home by his own mind. Suffering from agoraphobia caused by a car accident that took his wife’s life, his existence has been reduced to a monotonous repetition of identical days. As his dread and self-loathing escalate, an onslaught of gruesome visions and twisted, waking nightmares begins to gnaw away at his last shred of sanity. Are these ghastly visions imaginary, private demons.

Everybody now...ewwwwwwww! The latest, and stomach-churning, poster for writer/director Rory Douglas Abel's 'Phobia' has been spotted over at Bloody Disgusting - which ironically describes the spidery new one-sheet perfectly. Rlj/Image Entertainment will unleash 'Phobia' this coming November and the movie stars Michael Jefferson, Emma Dubery, Sarah Schoofs, Peter Gregus, Debbie Rochon, Sandra Palmeri, Jason Grimste, Andrew Ruth and Hardy Winburn. Check out the new poster below....

It's a damned shame this poster for Phobia came through just before lunch because it has made us lose whatever appetite we had. In the world of horror, though, that's a good thing! A Very good thing! Check it out!

Michael Jefferson, Emma Dubery, Sarah Schoofs, and Peter Gregus star. The flick was written by Matthew Barnes and Rory Abel, produced by Elias (Gut) and Mike Aransky (London Betty), and directed by Rory Abel.

Bloody Disgusting caught the first look at this eye catcher you see below.

Look for Phobia in November via Rlj/Image Entertainment.

Synopsis

Jonathan MacKinlay is a man trapped inside his home by his own mind. Suffering from agoraphobia caused by a car accident that took his wife’s life, his existence has been reduced to a monotonous repetition of identical days. As his dread and self-loathing escalate, an onslaught of gruesome visions and twisted, waking...

That's right, Dreadies! It's time for you to stare your fears right in the face... well... not really! But you can take a few seconds to stare at these new stills from the upcoming indie fright-fest known as Phobia. Don't be a pussy! Check 'em out!

From the Press Release

Ruthless Pictures has picked up North American rights to the psychological thriller Phobia, written by Matthew Barnes and Rory Abel, produced by Elias (Gut) and Mike Aransky (London Betty), and directed by Rory Abel.

The film follows an agoraphobic man trapped in his own home and plagued by a malevolent spirit.

"We wanted to take the traditional haunted house scenario and approach it from a different perspective," said director Abel.

Ruthless Pictures CEO Jesse Baget commented on the acquisition, “Rory and his team made a gripping psychological thriller that had me at the edge of my seat. I’m excited...