Bill Skarsgard, Bella Thorne Thriller ‘Assassination Nation’ Sells to Neon, Russo Brothers for $10 Million
Sundance 2018: Joe and Anthony Russo’s AGBO production company will team up on acquisition with Neon
Beatrice Verhoeven | January 23, 2018 @ 7:43 AM
Last Updated: January 24, 2018 @ 12:12 PM
Endeavor Content
“Assassination Nation,” the Bill Skarsgard/Bella Thorne thriller, has sold to Neon and and AGBO production company for $10 million at the Sundance Film Festival, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
AGBO, launched by Anthony and Joe Russo, acquired the worldwide rights along with Neon. 30West arranged the deal on behalf of the two companies, while Endeavor Content repped the filmmakers.
The film also stars Odessa Young, Suki Waterhouse, Hari Nef, Abra, Colman Domingo, Joel McHale and Anika Noni Rose, and was written and directed by Sam Levinson. Four teenage girls in a quiet town become the focus of worldwide attention when their personal information is leaked by a hacker.
“Assassination Nation” was produced by David S. Goyer, Anita Gou, Kevin Turen, Aaron L. Gilbert, Matthew J. Malek and Manu Gargi, and premiered in the Midnight section of the film festival.
The acquisition price marks the biggest sale of the festival so far. The John Cho/Debra Messing film “Search” told for $5 million on Monday, while Keira Knightley’s “Colette” sold for a lower seven-figure amount. Neon also bought the domestic rights to the police brutality drama “Monsters and Men” on Monday.
Sam Levinson previously wrote and directed 2011’s “Another Happy Day,” which starred Ellen Barkin, Ezra Miller, Demi Moore, Ellen Burstyn and Kate Bosworth. He also starred in the films “Stoic,” “What Just Happened” and Bandits.”
A spokesperson for Endeavor Content did not respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
13 Hottest Sundance Movies for Sale: From Ax Murderers to Notorious 'RBG' (Photos)
Park City, Utah, is about to be flush with cash -- and we're not talking about buying apres-ski gear. Here are the most promising sales titles of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.
"Tyrel"
After his stunning performance in "Mudbound," Jason Mitchell is back in this drama alongside Caleb Landry Jones, Michael Cera and Ann Dowd. Buyers should go crazy for the film about a guy who goes on a weekend birthday trip to a cabin -- but he's the only black guy on the retreat.
Sundance
"Lizzie"
There's much interest in "Lizzie," which chronicles the life of Lizzie Borden, who was tried and acquitted for the 1892 ax murders of her father and stepmother. Chloe Sevigny, Kristen Stewart and Denis O'Hare star.
Sundance
"Burden"
Garrett Hedlund also gave a stellar performance in "Mudbound," playing the son of a man associated with the Ku Klux Klan. In "Burden," Hedlund is a repo man rising through the ranks of the KKK, but everything changes when he falls for a woman (Andrea Riseborough). The additional cast of Forest Whitaker and Usher should entice buyers.
Sundance
"The Miseducation of Cameron Post"
Chloe Grace Moretz stars as a high school teenager who gets caught in the backseat of her car with another girl. She's quickly shipped off for conversion therapy, where she for the first time feels like she can find her place among fellow outcasts. The strong themes of pain and loss while finding yourself and your identity should make it a hot title -- after all, it's based on Emily Danforth's acclaimed novel as well.
Sundance
"Juliet, Naked"
Perhaps one of the most anticipated films on the Sundance schedule, "Juliet, Naked" is an adaptation of Nick Hornby's best-selling novel. Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke and Chris O'Dowd star in this comedic drama about a woman who is in a transatlantic romance with a once-revered musician.
Sundance
"RBG"
What better time to release a documentary about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
Sundance
"Piercing"
Based on Ryu Murakami's critically acclaimed novel, this steamy yet bloody thriller will get Midnight audiences' --- and buyers' -- heart rate up.
Sundance
"A Kid Like Jake"
Director Silas Howard is debuting his film "A Kid Like Jake," featuring an ensemble that includes Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Octavia Spencer, Priyanka Chopra, Ann Dowd and Amy Landecker. Howard, who's directed boundary-pushing TV series like "This Is Us" and "Transparent," here focuses on parents whose young son prefers princesses to action figures.
Sundance
"The Happy Prince"
Rupert Everett's directorial debut details the final three years of Oscar Wilde's life. Colin Firth and Emily Watson round out the cast of this period film.
Sundance
"American Animals"
There will never be enough heist films in the world, and the cast of "American Animals," which includes Evan Peters, Barry Keoghan and Blake Jenner, promises to pull off one of the biggest art thefts in recent history. Plus, it's a true story.
Sundance
"Ophelia"
"Ophelia" retells Shakespeare's "Hamlet" from the point of view of the melancholy Danish prince's presumed future wife -- played by Daisy Ridley, hot off "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" and "Murder on the Orient Express." Naomi Watts and Clive Owen round out the cast.
Sundance
"Sorry to Bother You"
This film boasts one of the most impressive casts of any film heading to the festival, and that won't be lost on buyers: Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Steven Yeun and Armie Hammer star in the original comedy.
Sundance
"Wildlife"
Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan star in Paul Dano's directorial debut, about a couple in a foundering marriage in small-town Montana in the 1960s.
Sundance
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Sundance 2018: Streaming companies and indie distributors will battle it out for these movies
Park City, Utah, is about to be flush with cash -- and we're not talking about buying apres-ski gear. Here are the most promising sales titles of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.