Paul Rudd (“Ant-Man”) and Alexander Skarsgard (“Tarzan”) are set to star in Duncan Jones‘ sci-fi thriller “Mute,” it was announced Tuesday.
Set in Berlin 40 years from now, “Mute” follows Leo Beiler (Skarsgard), a mute bartender who has one reason and one reason only for living here — and she’s disappeared. But when Leo’s search takes him deeper into the city’s underbelly, an odd pair of American surgeons (led by Rudd) seem to be the only recurring clue, and Leo can’t tell if they can help, or who he should fear most.
“Mute” is based on a script by Jones and Mike Johnson that was recently rewritten by Damon Peoples. The film will be produced by Stuart Fenegan under the Liberty Films banner he shares with Jones.
Lotus Entertainment has come on board to handle international sales at the upcoming AFM. CAA, which arranged financing for the film, is handling its domestic sale.
Lotus’ Bill Johnson, Jim Seibel, and Ara Keshishian will serve as executive producers on the film, which is slated to start production in March. Keshishian, the president of production at Lotus, negotiated the deal on behalf of the company.
“I’ve been working towards making ‘Mute’ for 12 years now. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that we’re finally going to shoot this utterly unique film. The fact that I get to make it with Alexander Skarsgard and Paul Rudd makes it all the more exciting! ‘Mute’ is a film that will last. It is unlike any other science fiction being made today,” Jones boasted.
“We’re very excited to work with Duncan and Stuart. They are an immensely talented team that will surely deliver an exciting and cinematic film. Director Duncan Jones is a true visionary filmmaker and the real deal. It’s his caliber of talent that makes storytelling both visually exciting and captivating,” Seibel said.
“Bill, Jim and Ara share the same passion I do for building another vision of the future with Duncan. I look forward to going on this journey with them, and also reuniting with Sam Rockwell and composer Clint Mansell … can’t do sci-fi without Sam and Clint,” added Fenegan.
Skarsgard recently wrapped production on David Yates‘ “Tarzan” for Warner Bros. and is represented by CAA. Rudd just completed “Captain America: Civil War” for Disney/Marvel and is represented by UTA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
Jones, who previously directed “Moon” and Legendary’s upcoming “Warcraft,” is represented by CAA.
Lotus Entertainment recently introduced Stevie Russell’s “Exo” starring Bella Thorne and Jack Kilmer and wrapped production on David Leveaux’s “The Kaiser’s Last Kiss” starring Lily James, Jai Courtney and Christopher Plummer, as well as Xavier Gens‘ “The Crucifixion” starring Sophie Cookson. Lotus’ slate also includes Sacha Gervasi‘s “November Criminals” with Chloë Grace Moretz and Ansel Elgort; Tanya Wexler’s “Replicas” starring Keanu Reeves; Luis Prieto’s “Kidnap” starring Halle Berry; Tom Tykwer‘s “A Hologram For a King” starring Tom Hanks; Scott Hicks‘ “Fallen” and Shekhar Kapur‘s epic adventure “Tiger’s Curse.”