James Franco Sci-Fi Thriller 'Kin' to Be Distributed by Lionsgate

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Lionsgate emerged victorious in an auction at the Toronto International Film Festival and will finance and distribute “Kin,” a sci-fi thriller starring Jack Reynor, James Franco, Zoe Kravitz and Dennis Quaid, a source close to the project confirmed to TheWrap.

Jonathan and Josh Baker will direct the film, which is based on their short “Bag Man.” Daniel Casey wrote the story about an ex-con (Reynor) and his adopted brother who are forced on the run while being chased by a vengeful criminal (Franco). Quaid will play their father, and Kravitz is cast as a fellow traveler they meet along the way.

Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen at 21 Laps will produce the movie alongside No Trace Camping’s Jeff Arkuss, David Gross and Jesse Shapira. Among 21 Laps’ recent work is the Netflix smash hit “Stranger Things” and Denis Villeneuve‘s much-anticipated sci-fi thriller “Arrival,” which will debut at the Venice Film Festival.

Also Read: James Franco, Zoe Kravitz Cast in Sci-Fi Thriller 'Kin'

WME and Good Universe assembled the financing package and shopped the deal in Toronto.

Lionsgate paid in the mid-to-high $20 million range for the film rights, according to the source. The movie is set to start shooting Oct. 24.

Franco is also set to star in a film adaptation of Neil Strauss‘ “The Game,” where he’ll play caped pick up artist Mystery. “The Game” will be the first film produced by a partnership between Franco and Demian Gregory.

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