The trades took it on Tuesday and now the rest of us have the announcement to share for Homefront director Gary Fleder’s Just Play Dead, which cranks up this Fall in the Canary Islands. Samuel L. Jackson (Kingsman: The Secret Service, Pulp Fiction), Eva Green (Casino Royale, 300: Rise Of An Empire), and Maria Pedraza (Netflix’s “Money Heist”) are set to star in the thriller from a script by Dan Gordon (Rambo: Last Blood).
The European co-production hails from Head Gear Films’ Phil Hunt (Talk to Me, Tar), Gemstone Films’ Valentin Dimitrov (The Hitman’s Bodyguard), Sagiv Diamant (We Die Young), Moshe Diamant (The Protégé) and Gaby Whyte Hart, who also serves as the casting director. Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier are exec producing for Highland Film Group which is co-financing and handling international rights; CAA Media Finance is overseeing domestic.
Just Play Dead centers on Jack Wolfe (Jackson), a wealthy criminal mastermind who plots faking his own death when he gets cornered by the Feds. Doing so allows him to claim the $30 million life insurance payout with his “grieving” wife Nora (Green), while framing her surfer lover Chad for his murder. However, Nora is cooking up a scheme of her own: kill Jack for real, frame Chad and keep the fortune for herself. As lies unravel, Nora and Jack scramble to outsmart one another, leaving one burning question: who will come out on top in this twisted game of life and death?
“Working with such incredible talents as Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green is truly an honor. Eva Green will deliver a captivating performance as the cunning and seductive wife to Samuel L. Jackson’s powerful kingpin in this intoxicating thriller,” said Highland CEO Fraser.
“Dan Gordon has crafted a complex tale of lies, deceit and betrayal and Gary Fleder is the ideal director to bring this enticing and suspenseful project to life, which is already attracting buyers worldwide,” added Highland COO Perrier.
“I’ve always been drawn to stories that defy categorization, that live somewhere between genres and challenge audiences to stay on their toes. With Just Play Dead, written by the immensely talented Dan Gordon, and starring Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green, I have the chance to return to that same rich, unpredictable territory. This film is provocative, sexy, and original—a perfect mix of clever storytelling and thrilling twists,” said Fleder.
“Bringing together the legendary Samuel L. Jackson and the captivating Eva Green for Just Play Dead is an exciting moment for us at Gemstone Films. With Dan Gordon’s inspiration and Gary Fleder at the helm, we have a sharp script and we’re crafting a thrilling ride full of twists and compelling performances – we can’t wait to see it come to life on screen,” commented the producers from Gemstone.
Jackson is repped by Anonymous Content, CAA, Jackoway Austin Tyerman and ID; Green is repped by Chalcot Square; Pedraza is repped by Independent Talent Group.