https://youtu.be/3eGP6im8AZAI’m loving the setup here with The Black Phone. A kidnapee forced to MacGyver his way out of a sound-proof basement with the help of the dead? Plus he’s taught to be resourceful as well as fight? Way to go Scott!
Post-modern wartime thirller, Zeros And Ones, has added four-time Academy Award nominated actor and filmmaker Ethan Hawke (First Reformed, Boyhood) to headline the cast for director Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant, The Funeral, Kings Of New York).
Also starring are Liam Cunningham and Rutger Hauer.
Following screenings at Venice, Telluride and Toronto, Paul Schrader’s highly acclaimed new thriller, First Reformed has been officially acquired by A24 for U.S. distribution. A 2018 release is in tow for the film written by Schrader, best known for memorable screenplay credits like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, and directing nods such as his 1978 directing debut, Blue Collar, and the 1997 Academy Award® winning Nick Nolte headliner, Affliction.
First Reformed centers its haunting thriller narrative on Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke), a mysterious Reverend based in a small town in upstate New York. When Toller is approached by Mary (Amanda Seyfried), a pregnant woman struggling with a seemingly unstable, radical activist husband, he gets embroiled in a treacherous scenario that forces him to confront his troubled past and drives him to increasingly dangerous and shocking behavior.
About the acquisition, A24 said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with the brilliant, one-of-a-kind Paul Schrader on this deeply provocative and hypnotic new film. FIRST REFORMED is at once an intimate character study and an expansive and profound look at some of the most universal questions of our time, all told through one man’s riveting and unforgettable personal journey. We’re incredibly excited to bring this masterful achievement out into the world, and to draw attention to Ethan Hawke’s remarkable performance at its center.”
Filmmaker Paul Schrader said, “I have been watching A24’s inspirational progress and am excited for my film to join their company.”
From Killer Films, Fibonacci Films, Omeira Studio Partners and Arclight Films, First Reformed is produced by Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, Frank Murray, Jack Binder, Greg Clark, Victoria Hill, Gary Hamilton, and Deepak Sikka. Arclight is handling international rights to the film with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) co-repping North America.
Although initially tapped for an immersive theatrical Barco Escape rollout as stated last year, Wednesday’s news of stunt coordinator-turned-filmmaker Brian Smrz’s sophomore action thriller, 24 Hours To Live, makes no mention of it. That’s not to say that may change, but as it stands however, expect a release in due time with the film’s reported acquisition by Saban Films at Cannes.
Zachary Dean’s script sees Hawke in the role of a career assassin who is given a chance at redemption when he is subsequently revived after being killed on his latest mission in South Africa. Mr. Six and Looper co-star, actress Xu Qing, and actors Paul Anderson, Liam Cunningham and Rutger Hauer also star with John Wick producer Basil Iwanyk of Thunder Road Pictures producing as are financier Fundemental Films’s own Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhon. Kent Kubena, Jon Kuyper, Jonathan Fuhrman and Gary Glushon serve as executive producers.
Per Variety:
“We love the film,” said Bromiley. “It’s the kind of high-octane thriller we’ve come to know and understand. We’ve been following this projejct from the script stage and are very excited we were able to make a deal.”
Fundamental Films’ Gao said: “We’re thrilled to be partnered with the team at Saban who are just as passionate and excited as we are to share this wild ride with everyone.”
The European Film Market is just a few weeks away while sales reps prepare their packages for buyers, so expect the usual swarms of headlines of acquisitions news to come. Sierra/Affinity will certainly be on hand with its own line-up of titles, one of which will be the forthcoming production of Stockholm, officially casting actor Ethan Hawke and actress Noomi Rapace.
More names are expected to be attached in the months ahead so keep your eyes peeled if heist thrillers are more your speed. The official press release is available below!
ETHAN HAWKE AND NOOMI RAPACE TO STAR IN STOCKHOLM
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY ROBERT BUDREAU
Sierra/Affinity Handling International Sales of the
Bank Heist Thriller Starting at the 2017 European Film Market
LOS ANGELES January 27, 2017 – Four-time Academy Award® nominee Ethan Hawke and Noomi Rapace will star in STOCKHOLM written and directed by Robert Budreau. Scott Aversano and Will Russell-Shapiro will executive produce and oversee the thriller via the Aversano Films banner along with Jason Blum via Blumhouse Productions. Nicholas Tabarrok will produce via his Darius Films banner, with Budreau via his Lumanity banner, and Jonathan Bronfman via his JoBro Productions banner. William Santor, John Hills and Andrew Chang-Sang are also executive producing for financier Productivity Media. Production is slated to commence in April. Sierra/Affinity is handling international sales and will offer it to buyers for the first time at the 2017 European Film Market in Berlin.
STOCKHOLM is based on the extraordinary true story of the 1973 bank heist and hostage crisis in Stockholm that was documented in the 1974 New Yorker article “The Bank Drama” written by Daniel Lang. The events grasped the world’s attention when the hostages bonded with their captors and turned against the authorities, giving rise to the psychological phenomenon known as “Stockholm Syndrome.”
“STOCKHOLM will offer moviegoers a raw glimpse into intense events that transpired over four decades ago coining a psychological condition that still intrigues the world today,” said Jonathan Kier, Sierra/Affinity’s President of International Sales & Distribution. “With Robert’s creative direction coupled with Ethan and Noomi’s tremendous talents, we are certain audiences around the globe will be captivated by this thrilling true story.”
STOCKHOLM will mark the second time Hawke and Budreau have worked together following the recent release of the critically-acclaimed BORN TO BE BLUE in which Hawke starred as jazz legend Chet Baker. In addition to BORN TO BE BLUE, Hawke has recently starred in THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, MAGGIE’S PLAN, BEFORE MIDNIGHT, as well as BOYHOOD for which he received an Oscar® nomination.
Rapace will next be seen in WHAT HAPPENED TO MONDAY, UNLOCKED and BRIGHT. Her previous film credits include the Swedish language GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO series, CHILD 44, THE DROP, DEAD MAN DOWN, PROMETHEUS, and SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS.
Prior to BORN TO BE BLUE, Budreau directed the Genie-nominated THAT BEAUTIFUL SOMEWHERE. He is currently developing a TV series adaptation of the short story CONSUMERS by Dennis Lehane.
Hawke is represented by CAA, MGMT Entertainment and attorney George Sheanshang. Rapace is represented by CAA, Magnolia Entertainment, and attorney Howard Fishman of HWHM+F. Budreau is represented by APA and The Sanford Ehrlich Company.
The trailer for Ti West’s latest Western pic, In A Valley Of Violence isn’t really something that falls in my purview, but I can certainly appreciate good westerns where they are. This one stars John Travolta in a role that looks much more fitting than whatever that was with the bad hair in I Am Wrath, along with Ethan Hawke and you can sample a bit of it just beneath Thursday’s announcement of its DVD, Digital HD and Blu-Ray releases in December.
John Travolta And Ethan Hawke Star In The Gritty Action Western In A Valley Of Violence
AVAILABLE NOW ON DIGITAL HD AND ON BLU-RAY™ AND DVD ON DECEMBER 27, 2016 FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Oct. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — A mysterious drifter enters a forgotten town in the edgy action film, In a Valley of Violence, available now on Digital HD and on Blu-ray™ and DVD on December 27, 2016 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. From acclaimed director, Ti West (The Sacrament, The Innkeepers), and famed producer Jason Blum (Insidious, The Visit), the film stars Academy Award® nominees; John Travolta (The People v. O.J. Simpson, Criminal Activities) and Ethan Hawke (Sinister 2, Maggie’s Plan). The In a Valley of Violence Blu-ray™ and DVD include bonus content that takes viewers on a wild ride behind the scenes with an exciting inside look at the making of the film.
Ethan Hawke stars as Paul, a lone drifter who wanders into the forgotten town of Denton, Texas – dubbed by locals as the “valley of violence”. There, he picks a fight with the wrong man, Gilly (James Ransone), the troublemaking son of the town’s unforgiving Marshal (John Travolta). As tensions arise between Paul and Gilly, an inevitable act of violence starts a disastrous chain reaction that quickly drags the whole town into the bloody crosshairs of revenge. Only the world-weary Marshal struggles to stop the violent hysteria, but after a gruesome discovery about Paul’s past…there’s no stopping the escalation.
BLU-RAY™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6x the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.
DIGITAL HD with UltraViolet™ lets you watch movies anywhere, on any device. Users can instantly stream or download movies to watch on iPad®, iPhone®, Android™, smart TVs, connected Blu-ray™ players, game consoles and more.
BONUS FEATURES ON BLU-RAY™, DVD AND DIGITAL HDBehind the Scene of In a Valley of Violence – Star Ethan Hawke explains how In a Valley of Violence is not your typical Western movie.
FILMMAKERS:Cast: Ethan Hawke, Taissa Farmiga, James Ransone, Karen Gillan, John Travolta
Casting By: Terri TaylorDirected By: Ti West
Written By: Ti WestExecutive Producers: Alix Taylor, Ti West, David Schiff, Jeanette Volturno-BrillCo-Executive Producers: Linda Favila, Anson DownesProduced By: Jason Blum, p.g.a., Jacob Jaffke, p.g.a., Peter Phok , p.g.a.Line Producer: John N. WardCasting By: Terri Taylor, CSADirector of Photography: Eric RobbinsProduction Designer: Jade HealyEdited By: Ti WestSound Designer: Graham Reznick
Music By: Jeff GraceCostume Designer: Malgosia Turzanska
TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY™:Street Date: December 27, 2016Copyright: 2016 Universal Pictures Home EntertainmentSelection Number: 62182325 (US)/ 62180115 (CND)Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.4:1Rating: R for Violence and LanguageLanguages/Subtitles: English SDH, French, German, Spanish
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/Dolby Digital 2.0Run Time: 1 hour and 44 minutesTECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:Street Date: December 27, 2016Copyright: 2016 Universal Pictures Home EntertainmentSelection Number: 61165804 (US)/ 62180113 (CDN)
Layers: Dual LayerAspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1Rating: R for Violence and Language
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Brazilian, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1Run Time: 1 hour and 44 minutes
There’s something to be said about a certain type of project and the goodness it brings when all the right people come together. In 2000, that very project came in the form of the award-winning crooked cop thriller, Training Day, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Ethan Hawke and Denzel Washington.
SYNOPSIS:
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