Media 8 Entertainment (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 The 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 Se7en, in fall 2010.
