Ian McDonald Sells Exciting Thriller Pitch to Netflix with Producers Andrea Berloff and John Gatins

Screenwriter Ian McDonald Signs New Deal with Netflix for Untitled Thriller

In a significant move within the film industry, screenwriter Ian McDonald has secured a deal with Netflix for an untitled thriller feature pitch. This follows the successful production of his Black List script, Woman of the Hour, which marked Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut and was acquired by the streaming giant in a competitive bidding war.

Details regarding the plot remain undisclosed, but it is confirmed that the film will explore themes related to cults. Producing the project are Academy Award nominees Andrea Berloff and John Gatins, who have an overall deal with Netflix, under which they are also working on The Last Mrs. Parrish and Fight for ’84.

Woman of the Hour garnered critical acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival, leading to a sale to Netflix for approximately $11 million. The film presents a fictionalized account of serial killer Rodney Alcala, focusing on his notorious appearance on The Dating Game during a lengthy murder spree in the 1970s. The narrative is told through the eyes of Cheryl, an aspiring actress portrayed by Kendrick, who becomes unwittingly involved with a killer, played by Daniel Zovatto. McDonald crafted the screenplay on speculation, with financing provided by AGC Studios and Bondit Media Capital. Alongside McDonald, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J.D. Lifshitz, and Raphael Margules contributed as producers, while McDonald is represented by CAA, Entertainment 360, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.

Berloff and Gatins, both Oscar nominees for their work on Straight Outta Compton and Flight, have recently collaborated on The Last Mrs. Parrish. This crime thriller, based on Liv Constantine’s novel, features Jennifer Lopez as a con artist who targets a wealthy couple. The duo also co-wrote Fight for ’84, an inspiring tale about the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team’s recovery following a devastating plane crash.

Additionally, Berloff has worked recently with Netflix and Lopez on the successful action thriller The Mother. She is also represented by CAA, Entertainment 360, and McKuin Frankel Whitehead. Gatins, known for his contributions to films like Real Steel, Kong: Skull Island, and Coach Carter, is represented by UTA and Felker Toczek Suddleson.