Brie Larson’s New Film ‘Skeletons’ Collaborates with J.J. Abrams and JT Mollner in Exciting Deal with Sony
EXCLUSIVE: Sony Pictures is nearing a significant deal for global rights to the genre project Skeletons, featuring Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson of Captain Marvel fame. This marks the largest worldwide deal to emerge from this year’s European Film Market to date.
Sources indicate the deal is valued at approximately $25 million, with Sony outbidding multiple competitors for domestic rights.
The project is produced by J.J. Abrams, with FilmNation, WME, and CAA involved in the sales process. Filming is scheduled to begin this summer.
Directed by JT Mollner (Strange Darling), Skeletons centers around a young boy who begins to uncover a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature. Casting for the roles of the son and father is currently underway.
The screenplay, penned by Brian Duffield (No One Will Save You), is based on a short story by Philip Fracassi. Formerly titled Fail-Safe, the film has generated notable interest among buyers at the EFM market, being regarded as a standout pre-sale option.
Watch on Deadline
In a statement at Cannes last year, Abrams expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Brian Duffield has written an absolute powerhouse of a script. It’s a horror film that is as sweet and moving as it is terrifying. To have JT Mollner in the director’s chair — his Strange Darling blew me away — is a dream come true. Finally, having the limitlessly talented Brie Larson as our star sets the film up to be that rare horror film that makes you laugh, feel, and care, before taking you on an absolutely wild ride.”
The film is produced by FilmNation Entertainment’s production label Infrared, J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, and Assemble Media. Producers include Drew Simon, J.J. Abrams, Jon Cohen, and Jack Heller, with Caitlin de Lisser-Ellen and Brian Duffield serving as executive producers, alongside Larson and Fracassi.
For Sony, the deal is being negotiated by Joe Matukewicz, President of Worldwide Acquisitions; Virginia Longmuir, EVP of Business Affairs; and Elan Kovo, VP of Business Development.
This agreement marks FilmNation’s second major deal this year, following the successful sale of the Sundance film The Invite to A24, which was valued at between $10 million and $12 million.
