Brad Fuller-Produced Sci-Fi Thriller ‘The Astronaut’ Starring Kate Mara Sells to U.K., Oz, Germany, Italy and More (EXCLUSIVE)
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Highland Film Group has locked key territory deals for sci-fi thriller “The Astronaut” from “A Quiet Place” producer Brad Fuller Pic stars Kate Mara (“A Teacher”), Laurence Fishburne (“John Wick” films) and Gabriel Luna (“Terminator: Dark Fate”). The film wrapped shooting late last year in Ireland.
“The Astronaut” has sold to Signature Entertainment for the U.K., Capelight Pictures for Germany, Blue Swan Entertainment for Italy, Nos Lusomundo Audiovisuais for Portugal, DeAPlaneta for Spain, Spentzos Film for Greece, Cinemania Group for former Yugoslavia, Shoval Film Production for Israel, Falcon Films for the Middle East, Filmfinity for South Africa and Roadshow Films for Australia and New Zealand.
Jess Varley’s directorial debut, “The Astronaut” is produced by Fuller Media, the company behind Paramount’s “A Quiet Place” and “A Quiet Place Part II,” and Cameron Fuller, alongside Wonder Company’s Eric B. Fleischman (J.D. Dillard’s “Sleight”) and Chris Abernathy (“Barbarian”).
Highland Film Group, which is representing international rights on the movie, is continuing sales at the European Film Market in Berlin. CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group are co-repping domestic rights.
“Our talented cast led by Kate Mara, Laurence Fishburne and Gabriel Luna breathes incredible life into Jess Varley’s haunting sci-fi experience,” said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser.
“We are thrilled to be working with producer Brad Fuller, who continues to be a guiding force behind some of today’s most successful genre films. And with the backing of our wonderful international partners, we cannot wait to introduce this phenomenal project to global audiences,” added Highland COO Delphine Perrier.
Mara stars as astronaut Sam Walker, whose return from her first space mission goes awry, but she’s found alive in a punctured capsule floating in the Atlantic Ocean. Expecting to be reunited with her husband (Luna), she finds herself placed under intense government surveillance in a high security house for rehabilitation and medical testing under the control of Gen. William Harris (Fishburne). However, when disturbing occurrences begin happening around the property, she fears that something extraterrestrial has followed her back to Earth.
Highland Film Group’s current roster also includes Allan Ungar’s action comedy “London Calling,” starring Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor; Felipe Vargas’ high-concept horror film “Rosario,” with Emeraude Toubia and David Dastmalchian; and Rod Blackhurst’s “Blood for Dust,” starring Scoot McNairy, Kit Harington and Josh Lucas.
Other titles on Highland Film Group’s slate include Adam Cooper’s crime thriller “Sleeping Dogs,” starring Russell Crowe and Karen Gillan; Joe Carnahan’s survival thriller “Not Without Hope,” starring Zachary Levi and Duhamel; Simon West’s action comedy “Old Guy,” starring Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu and Cooper Hoffman; and Benjamin Brewer’s survival action-thriller “Arcadian” starring Nicolas Cage, which will world premiere at SXSW.
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