Exciting Sundance Opportunities for ‘The Invite’ and ‘Leviticus’ – What You Need to Know
Sundance Film Festival Sees Resurgence in Movie Deals
At this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the atmosphere buzzes with renewed energy as studios actively seek to acquire films. Notably, Olivia Wilde’s latest directorial project, The Invite, has garnered significant interest, with bids reportedly surpassing $10 million. The sexual rom-com, which features actors Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penélope Cruz, premiered to laughter and applause on Saturday night at the Eccles Theatre, prompting several buyers to engage in negotiations. Among those in talks are major players like A24, Netflix, Searchlight, Focus Features, Black Bear, and Neon, with UTA representing the film.
Wilde directs The Invite from a screenplay by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, inspired by the Spanish film The People Upstairs. The narrative revolves around a couple, portrayed by Rogen and Wilde, whose marriage is struggling. They invite two sexually assertive guests, played by Norton and Cruz, for a dinner that unfolds into unexpected territory.
In related developments, Neon has reportedly entered exclusive negotiations for the worldwide rights to Leviticus, a horror film by Adrian Chiarella. The project marks Mia Wasikowska’s return to the screen after a three-year hiatus and involves a deal estimated at around $5 million, excluding Australia and New Zealand. Leviticus features Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen as two teenage boys who must flee a violent entity that manifests in the form of their deepest desires—each other. This genre film, which addresses the issue of conversion therapy, is being represented by WME Independent.
Neon last year purchased the romantic horror film Together for $15 million—a noteworthy move in a competitive market.
As the festival progresses, optimism surrounds upcoming deals, particularly for Topic Studios’ Wicker, featuring Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård, and Elizabeth Debicki, as well as Channing Tatum’s drama Josephine. While finalizing these agreements may take time, the outlook for independent films at Sundance remains promising.
