Muschiettis to Produce Supernatural Thriller ‘Shadows’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Siblings Andy and Barbara Muschietti, director and producer of “Mama,” a U.S. chart-toper in 2013, brothers will produce the next project of Alex and David Pastor, supernatural thriller “In Shadows.” Spanish writers-directors, the Pastors, also siblings, have carve out a name on the international genre scene, with “The Last Days” and “Carriers.”
EOne is in advanced talks with the Muschiettis to board “Shadows.” A Spanish commercial broadcaster is also studying the project for possible co-production.
“‘Shadows’ is a twisted coming-of-age story, a dark tale where supernatural horror is a manifestation of the most mundane horror the characters face in their daily lives. Unfolding along two different timelines, the movie explores how the horrors of the past can haunt us all our lives and define us as adults,” David Pastor explained to Variety.
The Pastors’ new title turns on Jason, a man who comes out of prison after serving 20 years for an unspeakable crime, and is forced to confront the terrible events of his past that sent him there.
“In a similar way to features such as ‘Near Dark’ or ‘Let the Right One In’ that gave the genre a spin, a twist, ‘Shadows’ will do the same,” said Andy Muschietti.
“We wrote the kind of genre movie that as audience members we long to see: a character-driven horror film that is as scary as it is emotional, a supernatural tale that uses its fantastical elements to explore the darkest impulses of its characters,” Alex Pastor added.
The Pastor brothers have just shot “Incorporated,” a futuristic thriller pilot , which they also wrote, also for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Pearl Street Productions, Universal Cable Productions and CBS Television Studios.
The Argentine-born Muschiettis are two of Argentina’s highest-profile producer-directors, working genre films with international mainstream appeal.
Co-produced by Guillermo del Toro and starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Jessica Chastainm, chiller “Mama” cumed $147 million worldwide. The Muschiettis are Barcelona-based, having founded the Toma78 production shingle there. They also have offIces in L.A.
“‘Shadows’ is also the story of two brothers and the complex relationship between them, which is a very appropriate first collaboration for us and the Muschiettis!,” the Pastors joked.
It is scheduled to go into principal production in the first quarter of 2016. Screenplay has been penned by Alex and David Pastor. Pic is currently casting.
Muschietti are putting together a packed slate of projects for Andy to direct and Barbara produce or both produce. “We’ve been working hard for the last year and a half to have a significant lineup to develop,” Barbara said.
Andy Muschietti is preparing “It,” a Stephen King adaptation that would be made as two feature. two pics). Recently announced, Andy Muschietti substituted Cary Fukunaga on a New Line project. Shoot would take place next summer, partly to allow for work with children, as they have the main roles in the first part. Casting is in process. “Will Poulter (‘The Maze Runner,” ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’) would be a great option. For me he is at the top of my llist,” Andy advanced to Variety.
Andy Muschietti is also attached to direct “Shadow of the Colossus” for Sony, a much-awaited adaptation of the vidgame.
Regarding the Steven King adaptation, “King described 50s’ terror iconography. And I feel there’s a whole world now to rediscover, to update. There won’t be mommies, werewolves. Terrors are going to be a lot more surprising,” Andy announced of his potential update.
Also swelling Muschietti’s slate, Barbara revealed that they have just bought rights to award-winning graphic novel “Anya’s Ghost,” by Vera Brosgol. They are in talks with scriptwriter Patrick Ness (“Juan Antonio Bayona’s “A Monster Calls”) to pen the script.
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