EXCLUSIVE: Netflix is taking U.S. rights to Romain Gavras’ starry satire Sacrifice, starring Chris Evans (Captain America), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit), Salma Hayek Pinault (Frida) and Vincent Cassel (La Haine).
The Cannes market deal for Gavras’ English-language debut comes after the film debuted at Toronto last year.
Also starring are John Malkovich (Being John Malkovich), Swedish rapper Yung Lean in his film debut, Ambika Mod (One Day), singer and actress Charli xcx (I Want Your Sex), and more.
We can also reveal the international buyers for the film. Rocket Science has cut deals in the UK (Black Bear), Germany, Austria, Switzerland (DCM), Italy (Eagle), Spain (YouPlanet), Canada (Elevation), Portugal (Lusomundo), Latin America (Sun), Poland (KinoSwiat), EE (Prorom/Blitz) South Africa (Empire), CIS/Baltic States (Volga), Singapore (Shaw), Philippines (Pioneer) Middle East (Front Row), Airlines (Anuvu), and Scandinavia (Mis Label).
We understand there will likely be a theatrical corridor for the international buyers before Netflix releases stateside. Dates have yet to be set but late summer/fall is in play.
The synopsis reads: “Sacrifice tells the story of Joan (Taylor-Joy), a zealous spirit driven by a volcanic prophecy only she can hear, who is on a mission to save the world from a fiery reckoning. Along with her militia of mystical disciples, she hijacks a glamorous charity gala and takes three hostages: Mike Tyler, a beleaguered movie star desperate for redemption, Bracken, the world’s richest man, and Katie, who’s just unlucky. They are forced on a journey, as hilarious as it is epic, through forest and fire until Mike faces the ultimate question: what would he sacrifice for humanity?”
Deadline’s Damon Wise described the film as “an entertaining eco-satire with a surprisingly emotional impact”.
Giorgos Karnavas of Heretic is producing and Kate Glover of Neversleep Pictures is co-producing. Robert Walak and Jacob Perlin for Iconoclast, Mid March Media, Film4 and Romain Gavras are executive producing. Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Evans and Will Arbery are executive producers along with Gucci Productions.
The film’s financing is led by Mid March Media, Film4, Stefano Cantino at Gucci Productions, Head Gear Films and the Onassis Foundation.
‘Sacrifice’
TIFF
