EuropaCorp and Relativity Media Cast Oscar®-Winner Kevin Costner to Star in McG’s Untitled Thriller
10.02.2012
(Beverly Hills, Calif.) October 2, 2012 – EuropaCorp and Relativity Media have closed deals with Oscar®-Winner Kevin Costner (The Bodyguard, Dances With Wolves, Open Range) to star as the lead in this upcoming gripping action tale with McG (Charlie’s Angels, Terminator Salvation) attached to direct from a screenplay by Luc Besson (Taken, Transporter) and Adi Hasak (From Paris With Love). The two companies will work in tandem throughout the creative and production process on the film.
The thriller explores a story about Secret Service Agent Ethan Runner who discovers he's dying and decides to retire in order to reconnect with his estranged family. But when the Secret Service offers him access to an experimental drug that could save his life in exchange for one last assignment, he soon finds himself trying to juggle his family, his mission, and the drug's hallucinatory side-effects.
The film is being produced by EuropaCorp’s Besson and Virginie Besson-Silla (From Paris with Love), Hasak and Relativity’s CEO, Ryan Kavanaugh (The Fighter). Relativity’s President, Tucker Tooley (Immortals) will executive produce.
This marks the second of two films that EuropaCorp and Relativity will collaborate on as a part of a co-production and co-financing deal that was announced in May. The deal also includes the darkly comedic action film Malavita directed by Besson and starring Oscar®-Winner Robert De Niro (Limitless, Heat), Oscar®-Nominee Michelle Pfeiffer (Dark Shadows, People Like Us), Oscar®-Winner Tommy Lee Jones (No Country For Old Men, Men in Black), Dianna Agron (Glee, I Am Number Four) and John D’Leo (The Wrestler, Wanderlust).
Up next, Relativity will release the outrageous Movie 43 (in theatres January 25, 2013), the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ best-selling Safe Haven (in theatres February 8, 2013), the comedy 21 and Over (in theatres March 15, 2013) and the corporate espionage thriller Paranoia (in theatres October 4, 2013). Relativity is currently in post-production on Scott Cooper’s gritty dramatic thriller currently-titled Out of the Furnace.
EuropaCorp is currently releasing internationally Taken 2, the sequel to its franchise hit Taken (Liam Neeson), directed by Olivier Megaton. EuropaCorp is also in post-production on Mobius, directed by Eric Rochant, starring Oscar®-Winner Jean Dujardin (The Artist), Cécile de France (Here After), and Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs, The Incredible Hulk).
Costner was represented in his deal by WME and McG was represented by Management360 in his deal.
ABOUT RELATIVITY MEDIA
Relativity Media is a next-generation studio engaged in multiple aspects of entertainment, including full-scale film and television production and distribution, the co-financing of major studio film slates, music publishing, sports management and digital media. Additionally, the company makes strategic partnerships with, and investments in, media and entertainment-related companies and assets.
To date, Relativity has produced, distributed, and/or structured financing for more than 200 motion pictures. Released films have accumulated more than $17 billion in worldwide box office receipts. Relativity’s recent films include: House at the End of the Street, The Bourne Legacy, The Raven, Mirror Mirror, Act of Valor, Haywire, Immortals, Tower Heist, Bridesmaids, Limitless, Hop, Cowboys & Aliens, Battle: Los Angeles, Little Fockers, The Fighter, The Social Network, Salt, Despicable Me, Grown Ups, Dear John, It’s Complicated, Couples Retreat and Zombieland. Upcoming films for Relativity include: Movie 43, Safe Haven, 21 and Over, Paranoia and Malavita. Thirty-nine of the company’s films have opened to No. 1 at the box office. Relativity films have earned 60 Oscar® nominations, including nods for The Fighter, The Social Network, The Wolfman, A Serious Man, Frost/Nixon, Atonement, American Gangster and 3:10 to Yuma. Sixty-two of Relativity’s films have each generated more than $100 million in worldwide box-office receipts.
RelativityREAL, Relativity’s television arm, has more than 70 projects in active production, including 17 original series that are currently airing or will air in the upcoming television season including Police Women for TLC, Coming Home for Lifetime and The Great Food Truck Race for Food Network. Relativity also owns and operates RogueLife, Relativity’s digital content studio is developing original content for the web and creating sustainable online platforms and communities. Relativity Music Group, a music division of Relativity, provides music supervision, music publishing catalogues and soundtrack services for films produced and/or distributed by Relativity Media and other major Hollywood studios. Relativity Sports is a fast-growing sports agency dedicated to providing high profile athletes a full range of professional development services including contract negotiation, marketing, media relations, fan management, brand building with entrepreneurial ventures, community involvement and personal services. Clients include NBA, NFL and MLB athletes. For additional information, please visit www.relativitymedia.com.
ABOUT EUROPACORP
EuropaCorp ranks amongst the top European film studios. Founded in 1999, EuropaCorp's different activities include production, theater distribution, home entertainment, VOD, sales of TV rights for France as well as sales of international rights, partnerships and licenses, original soundtrack production and publishing. The Group has also been producing TV drama since 2010. EuropaCorp's integrated financial model generates revenues from a wide range of sources. With films from a wide range of genres and a strong presence in the international market, the Group has produced some of the latest French worldwide record-breaking successes. EuropaCorp’s catalogue includes 500 films and the company employs 120 permanent staff members.
More information on www.europacorp-corporate.com
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