Los Angeles, CA (May 12, 2010) – Media 8 Entertainment, a leading film entertainment company engaged in the production, financing, acquisition, and worldwide licensing of theatrical feature films, and producer of Academy Award® winner “Monster,” announced today that Kurt Russell is attached to play the lead in “Undying” (formerly known as “Reaper”), a supernatural thriller written by Gary Whitta (writer of Warner Bros' recent hit film “Book of Eli”). Media 8 Entertainment is producing and financing the film, and also handling worldwide sales. The announcement was made today by Media 8 Entertainment President Stewart Hall.
Media 8 Entertainment is producing the film along with Los Angeles based production company Circle of Confusion. Stewart Hall serves as producer along with Circle of Confusion's David Alpert and Lawrence Mattis. Cynthia Stafford's Queen Nefertari Productions and London/LA-based E-Motion are financing the film with Media 8. Cynthia Stafford, Lanre Idewu and Jeff Kalligheri of Queen Nefertari also serve as producers. E-Motion principals Karl Richards and Peter Bevan are executive producers.
Media 8 is handling international sales and is bringing the project to buyers at the Cannes Market. Jay Cohen at Gersh and CAA are handling the sale for North America.
“We needed the right actor to bring this material to the screen, and Kurt Russell is perfect for this role,” said Stewart Hall. “Kurt is one of Hollywood's most iconic leading men – from his work starring in legendary films like Escape From New York, Stargate, and Big Trouble in Little China, he is truly one of the few actors who audiences continually embrace as a real hero.”
“Undying” tells the story of Virgil Lone, a private investigator who finds himself recruited by the darkly beautiful and mysterious Delia. As he begins to work for Delia, Virgil finds himself suddenly immersed in a surreal underworld, one where the boundaries of life and death – as well as right and wrong – are completely blurred.
Production is set to begin on the film, which is a stylish neo-noir in the vein of “Blade Runner” and “Seven,” in fall 2010.
One of the few people to have made a successful leap from child actor to movie star, Kurt Russell made his first appearance in a bit part in the 1961 film, 'The Absent Minded Professor.' Russell's first major debut came with a part in the Elvis Presley film 'It Happened at the World Fair', in which he kicked the king of rock'n'roll on the shin. This appearance prompted Walt Disney to sign Russell to a contract and, over the next few years, Russell appeared in a number of Disney vehicles, such as 'Follow Me Boys!', 'The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes' and 'The Strongest Man in the World.'
After his contract with Disney expired, Russell elected to follow his father into professional baseball before a shoulder injury forced retirement from the sport in June 1973. Russell next took the title role in John Carpenter's biopic, 'Elvis', for which he won a Grammy nomination. It was a role he was to reprise later in Robert Zemeckis' Oscar-winning 'Forrest Gump.'
In 1980, he starred in director Robert Zemeckis' comedy 'Used Cars', before taking a central role in John Carpenter's iconic sci-fi classic 'Escape from New York'. This was followed by another successful collaboration with Carpenter, in 1982's 'The Thing', which established Russell as a strong presence within the Hollywood action genre.
Other notable roles quickly followed, including Mike Nichols' 'Silkwood' 'Swing Shift' and 'Overboard'. Many memorable roles in critically and commercially successful films continued, including a further John Carpenter film, 'Big Trouble in Little China', 'Tequila Sunrise', 'Tango and Cash', 'Executive Decision' 'Escape from L.A.', 'Vanilla Sky' ‘Backdraft,' ‘Tombstone' and 'Dark Blue.' He has most recently appeared in Quentin Tarantino's ‘Death Proof.'
About Gary Whitta
Gary Whitta is one of Hollywood's most sought-after screenwriters working in the fantasy and science-fiction genres, with numerous projects currently in production and development. His original screenplay for "The Book of Eli", starring Denzel Washington and directed by The Hughes Brothers has grossed more than $150 million worldwide since its release earlier this year. Whitta is also the author of the popular series of "Death, Jr." graphic novels published by Image Comics.
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