American global streaming service Netflix has just announced the acquisition of Charlie McDowell’s The Discovery, starring Rooney Mara (Carol), Haute 100 lister Robert Redford (Truth) and Jason Segel (The End of the Tour).
The film is described as “a gripping love story set one year after the existence of the afterlife is scientifically verified. Redford plays the scientist responsible for the discovery, with Segel portraying his son Will and Mara playing Isla, a woman haunted by a tragic past who Will falls in love with.”
Netflix, which is ran by CEO and Haute 100 lister Reed Hastings, revealed the forthcoming film is directed by Charlie McDowell as well as written by McDowell and Justin Lader. In addition, producers include Alex Orlovsky of Verisimilitude and James D. Stern of Endgame Entertainment, and was co-financed by Endgame Entertainment and Protagonist Pictures. Executive Producers are Mike Goodridge and Dimitra Tsingou for Protagonist, and Julie Goldstein and Lucas Smith for Endgame.
In a statement, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said, “To describe the story as original doesn’t begin to capture the world that Charlie has created that will envelop you. Our global viewers are going to love this film.”
Stern added, “I am a big fan of Charlie’s work and jumped at the chance to work with him on an incredible script with an exceptionally talented cast. And to be in partnership with Netflix is a perfect storm for Endgame.”
The film will be shot on location in Rhode Island and is scheduled to hit select theaters in 2017.
The Silicon Valley streaming service has been releasing a number of original films. Last year Netflix released its original film Beasts of No Nation in select U.S. markets, the same day that it debuted worldwide on Netflix. There are also a slew of forthcoming films such as The Little Prince, featuring the voices of Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, Paul Rudd, Marion Cotillard and Benicio Del Toro; David Michôd’s War Machine, starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Michael Hall, Topher Grace, Will Poulter with Tilda Swinton and Ben Kingsley. Netflix is also negotiating a fake documentary. If all goes will, Brett Ratner will be teaming up with Hollywood heavy hitter Eddie Murphy for Soul Soul Soul: The Murray Murray Story.
