Cineverse Takes North American Rights to ‘Chapter 51’ Featuring Abigail Breslin and Colman Domingo
EXCLUSIVE: Abigail Breslin, known for her role in Little Miss Sunshine, and Colman Domingo of Michael fame, are set to star in Chapter 51, the newest feature from acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Tyler Shields. The film has been acquired for North American distribution by Cineverse.
Described as a “comedic thriller,” Chapter 51 was both written and directed by Shields, who also served as the cinematographer. The cast includes Emily Alyn Lind (We Were Liars), Charlotte Lawrence (Bad Monkey), and Connor Paolo (The Last Stop In Yuma County).
Alongside Shields, the film is produced by Giovanni Ribisi and Todd Mandel. Executive producers for the project include John Ryan Jr., Kenan Thompson, and Tyler Transki. Chapter 51 is scheduled for a nationwide Video on Demand (VOD) release on June 23.
The official synopsis states: “During the making of a $500 million film, three actresses are murdered by an unidentified figure known as the Hollywood Killer. As fear spreads across the set, production continues under a new director. Years later, former FBI agent Thomas Scott reopens the case, unraveling a haunting story of ambition, obsession, and the cost of keeping the cameras rolling.”
Shields employed multiple large-scale formats for filming, including IMAX, VistaVision, and Ultra70 Panavision.
“It was always my dream to make a big movie with a small crew,” Shields remarked in a statement. “Chapter 51 is what happens when people who truly love cinema come together—the cast was the crew, and everyone gave everything they had. This film wouldn’t exist without the support of IMAX Film Cameras, Panavision, and Kodak. They’re not just part of filmmaking—they’re the lifeblood of it.”
Cineverse’s Dan Fisher praised the film as a “chilling, razor-edged thriller” from a “truly visionary director.”
The acquisition deal was negotiated by Dan Fisher of Cineverse and Nate Bolotin of XYZ Films on behalf of the filmmakers.
