AFM 2013: Samuel L. Jackson Answers Stephen King’s CELL
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More casting news for the latest Stephen King adaptation, CELL, has arrived in the form of the always entertaining Samuel L. Jackson. Read on for all the latest details that have just jumped out of the gate.
From the Press Release
Benaroya Pictures and The Genre Company announced today they have set Samuel L. Jackson to co-star with John Cusack in the apocalyptic thriller CELL, based on the bestselling novel by Stephen King. Tod “Kip” Williams will direct, with production set to begin in January. Benaroya Pictures is financing.
Samuel L. Jackson most recently co-starred in last year’s Django Unchained and next appears in the upcoming films Oldboy and Robocop as well as Captain America 2: Winter Soldier and The Avengers sequel. He is currently in production on Secret Service. In CELL, Jackson will play Tom McCourt, an engineer and former soldier who escapes from Boston along with Cusack’s character, Clay Riddell, after a mysterious pulse, transmitted by cell phones, spreads like a virus through the human population.
“It’s really exciting to have such a great cast continue to come together on this project,” said Benaroya Pictures principal Michael Benaroya. “Our goal is to create exciting commercial fare with top talent to really deliver on the concept of an ‘elevated genre’ film.”
Producing the project are Richard Saperstein (Se7en, Hancock), Michael Benaroya (Lawless, Margin Call), Brian Witten (Chernobyl Diaries, Friday the 13th, Final Destination), and Shara Kay (Silent Night). While President of Dimension Films, Saperstein oversaw the Stephen King adaptations The Mist, directed by Frank Darabont, and 1408, which also starred Cusack and Jackson and grossed over $130 million worldwide.
The screenplay for CELL was written by Stephen King and Adam Alleca (Last House on the Left). Edward Mokhtarian, Armen Aghaeian, Xavier Gens, and Laurence Freed will executive produce. Mark Leyner and Ben Insler will co-produce.
International Film Trust will be presenting the project to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market.
Synopsis
When a powerful signal is broadcast across mobile networks worldwide, cell phone users’ minds are instantly and dangerously re-programmed. Heading north through New England in search of his wife and son, Clay Riddell is joined by a group of survivors hoping to fend off the bloodthirsty and hyper-connected “phoners.”
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