Netflix has acquired the rights to finance and release the next film from director Alexander Payne, and Mads Mikkelsen is in negotiations to star in the film, two individuals with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
The untitled film will begin shooting in Sweden, Denmark and the U.S. starting next month, and the story is about a Danish writer who takes his teenage daughter on a cross-country road trip in America as part of a story he’s writing.
Erlend Loe (“Nord”) wrote the screenplay. The film is a production of Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa and Lizette Jonjic of Zentropa Productions.
Payne is a two-time Oscar winner for his work on “Sideways” and “The Descendants.” He’s also the acclaimed director of films such as “Nebraska,” “Election,” “Citizen Ruth” and “About Schmidt.” He’s also working on a dark satire called “The Menu” that has Emma Stone and Ralph Fiennes attached to star.
The director’s latest film, which was in 2017, was a comedy with a fantastical premise, “Downsizing,” starring Matt Damon and Kirsten Wiig. The film didn’t spark the same awards buzz or critical acclaim as his movies generally do. But Netflix has been making a push into more awards friendly fare, boasting a lineup this year that includes “Marriage Story,” “The Irishman” and “Dolemite Is My Name” among others vying for Oscars and end-of-year recognition.
The Denmark-born Mikkelsen most recently starred in the Netflix action movie “Polar,” and he’s currently filming the next film from Danish director Thomas Vinterberg, “Druk.”
Payne is represented by CAA and Bloom Hergott’s John Diemer. Mikkelsen is represented by UTA and Denmark-based Art Management.
Deadline first reported the news of the project.