The buzziest title for sale in this year’s Cannes film market has landed a buyer, with Universal Pictures announcing that it has acquired U.S. distribution rights to “355” in what the studio said was “a competitive situation” — i.e., a bidding war.
The film stars Jessica Chastian, Lupita Nyong’o, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz and Fan Bingbing as spies, and was written by Theresa Rebeck. All five women, along with director Simon Kinberg, were in Cannes to pitch the film to prospective buyers.
Chastain and Kelly Carmichael will produce for the actress’ Freckle Films company, along with Kinberg.
CAA Media Finance negotiated the deal with Universal. FilmNation Entertainment is handling international sales.
“355” was based on an original idea by Chastain about five female secret agents from different countries who team up to stop an evil syndicate from acquiring a super-weapon.
Matt Donnelly contributed to this report.
15 of Cannes' Hottest Directors, From Spike Lee to Debra Granik to Paul Dano (Exclusive Photos)
Some of the hot directors from around the globe who are presenting films at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
Spike Lee, "BlacKkKlansman"
Photographed in New York City by Tyler Mitchell for TheWrap
Meryem Benm'Barek, "Sofia"
Photographed in Paris by Julien Lienard for TheWrap
Ramin Bahrani, "Fahrenheit 451"
Photographed in New York City by Jayne Wexler for TheWrap
Jafar Panahi, "Three Faces"
Photographed in Tehran by Abbas Kowsari for TheWrap
Joe Penna, "Arctic"
Photographed in Los Angeles by Amber Waller for TheWrap
Alice Rohrwacher, "Lazzaro Felice" Photographed in
Berlin by Lea Fabrikant for TheWrap
Jia Zhang-Ke, "Ash is Purest White"
Photographed in Paris by Aude de Cazenove for TheWrap
Debra Granik, "Leave No Trace"
Photographed in Minneapolis by Marie Ketring for TheWrap
Paul Dano, "Wildlife"
Photographed in Brooklyn by Rick Wenner for TheWrap
David Robert Mitchell, "Under the Silver Lake"
Photographed in Los Angeles by Mike Gioulakis for TheWrap
A.B. Shawky, "Yomeddine"
Photographed in Cairo by Timothy Kaldas for TheWrap
Christophe Honore, "Sorry Angel"
Photographed in Paris by Julien Lienard for TheWrap
Pamela Green, "Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blache"
Photographed in Los Angeles by Julian Le Ballister for TheWrap
Lukas Dhont, "Girl" Photographed in Ghent by Kris Dewitte for TheWrap
Matteo Garrone, "Dogman"
Photographed in Rome by Riccardo Ghilardi
for TheWrap
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Cannes 2018: Paul Dano, Alice Rohrwacher and A.B. Shawky are among the filmmakers presenting their work at this year’s festival
Some of the hot directors from around the globe who are presenting films at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
