Luc Besson Sets Next Film ‘Anna’ With Helen Mirren, Luke Evans (EXCLUSIVE)
Luc Besson has set his next film.
Lionsgate andEuropaCorp have closed a co-production deal for Besson’s next action film, which will be titled “Anna.” Lionsgate will also distribute the pic.
EuropaCorp will produce the film, while Lionsgate will distribute it. The movie starts production this November and will be released under Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment label.
The pic starsHelen Mirren,Luke Evans,Cillian Murphy, and newcomerSasha Luss, as Anna.
“We are delighted to be reunited with Luc and his EuropaCorp team on another exciting, action-packed film featuring an A-list cast,” said Lionsgate MPG chairman Patrick Wachsberger and president of acquisitions and co-productions Jason Constantine. “Luc is a visionary filmmaker with whom we are proud to extend our longstanding relationship.”
Besson’s new project is the first film to be produced under EuropaCorp’s new mandate post “Valerian.”
During last month’s shareholders meeting, EuropaCorp’s CEO Marc Shmuger outlined the outfit’s aim to focus on making action thrillers and science-fiction films, in line with the company’s DNA, along the lines of “Taken,” “Lucy,” “The Professional” and “The Fifth Element.”
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On top of shrinking its slate to two to three English-language films a year, a source close to the company told Variety that EuropaCorp will now work with more modest budgets ranging from $25 million to $35 million.
Going forward, Besson is expected to be more creatively involved in all of EuropaCorp’s projects.
Aside from Besson’s next directorial outing, EuropaCorp is also actively developing a sequel to Scarlett Johansson-starrer “Lucy” whose script has already been written by Besson, according to Shmuger.
Besson directed the Scarlett Johansson-starrer “Lucy” and “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.” He also co-wrote and produced the hit action franchise “Taken.” Marc Shmuger will produce the upcoming project on behalf of EuropaCorp.
Evans was most recently seen in “Beauty and the Beast” and “Fast and Furious 8.” He can be seen next in “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” in theaters this Friday.
Mirren recently starred in “Collateral Beauty,” and can be seen next in Disney’s “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.”
Peter Nichols of Lichter Grossman Nichols Adler & Feldman negotiated the deal for Luc Besson and also represents Luss. Mirren is represented by CAA, Evans by WME and United Agents in the U.K., and Murphy by ICM Partners, The Lisa Richards Agency and Lou Coulson Associates.
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