Alec Baldwin (The Departed, Mission: Impossible franchise) is attached to star in Supercell, a new disaster action thriller that Herbert James Winterstern (NBC’s “Siberia”) will direct from a script by Winterstern & Anna Elizabeth James (Deadly Illusions). The film will serve as the launchpad for a non-exclusive first look output deal for Highland Film Group with Ryan Winterstern (Most Wanted, Inheritance) and Nathan Klingher (Zone 414, Becky) with their new startup, Short Porch Pictures.
Supercell is an epic disaster movie that tells the tale of William, a good-hearted teenager, who always lived in hope of following in his father’s footsteps, the legendary storm chaser Bill Brody, killed by a massive super tornado. His father’s legacy has now been turned into a storm-chasing tourist business, managed by the greedy and reckless Zane Rogers (Alec Baldwin), who is now using William as the main attraction to lead a group of unsuspecting adventurers deep into the eye of the most dangerous supercell ever seen.
Supercell marks a sophomore effort Short Porch, as well as a partnered endeavor with Thomasville. The two companies initially teamed up for action thriller One Way, directed by Andrew Baird and starring Colson Baker, Kevin Bacon, Storm Reid, and Travis Fimmel and currently selling under Highland at EFM.
The terms of the deal note that Highland will represent worldwide or international sales rights, depending on the project, to feature films produced by Short Porch. That inevitably includes Supercell which is now on Highland’s international sales docket, with CAA Media Finance is representing domestic.
Cameras are set to roll this year on location in Montana and Georgia. Ryan Donnell Smith and Emily Savelson’s Streamline Global are financing the pic.
“Ryan and Nathan are two of the industry’s rising stars in the independent production arena so we are delighted to be collaborating with them and their new company. They have great taste, endless energy and with Supercell out of the gate – we know we are in for a wild ride,” said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser. “Alec Baldwin is beloved in the international marketplace. You couple him with an amazing script filled with perilous life and deaths adventures in the hands of a very talented team and you have a winning combination our buyers will love,” continued company COO Delphine Perrier.
“We are excited about our new venture and partnership with Highland Film Group. We believe strongly in the strength of the independent film market moving forward and have created a structure to best maximize our ability to create exceptional content for years to come. Supercell is a terrific beginning in what will become a prosperous relationship for all of us,” said Winterstern and Klingher.
Baldwin is represented by CAA and Matt DelPiano of Cavalry Media.
Robert Benun of BenunLaw negotiated the first look partnership on behalf of Short Porch Pictures.