“Star Trek” and “Shaun of the Dead” veteran Simon Pegg will star in the indie “Lost Transmissions” for Pulse Films, the company announced Tuesday.
Katharine O’Brien will make her feature directorial debut on the project, which she also scripted.
“Lost Transmissions” follows Hannah, a shy songwriter, who discovers her friend, respected record producer Theo Ross, has lapsed on his medication for schizophrenia. Hannah rallies a group of friends to help commit Theo to a psychiatric facility, chasing him as he outruns his colorful delusions through the glamour and grit of Los Angeles. From the highs of rock and roll to rock bottom, this is a story of the unsung heroes behind the hits.
Pulse Films’ Thomas Benski and Lucas Ochoa will produce, with Brian Levy exec producing. Craig Newman from ATC Management will co-produce, with Alvaro Valente as associate producer. UTA Independent Film Group are representing the domestic rights.
“In dealing with mental health, ‘Lost Transmissions’ combines both comedic and tragic elements,” O’Brien said in a statement. “Simon has such a uniquely attuned sense of how to play a range of comedy in moments that still feel real. I’m excited to embrace his very fine skills as a dramatic actor with this film.”
Pegg is best known for co-creating and starring in the “Cornetto Trilogy” of “Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz” “and The World’s End,” as well as playing Montgomery Scott (“Scotty”) in J.J. Abrams’ reboot of the “Star Trek” franchise, and starring as Benji Dunn in the last two hit Mission: Impossible” movies.
O’Brien previously wrote “The Automatic Hate,” which received its world premiere at SXSW Film Festival in 2015. O’Brien has directed a number of critically acclaimed, award winning short films.
Pegg is represented by UTA and Dawn Sedgwick Management. O’Brien is represented by Pulse Films and Danny Passman at Gang, Tyre, Ramer and Brown.