(THR) Beijing-based Huayi Brothers Media has acquired Greater China distribution rights to female-fronted spy film 355, starring Jessica Chastain, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Lupita Nyong'o and Fan Bingbing. The Chinese studio will also co-finance the film.
A source close to the deal pegged the price tag at $20 million, the same sum that Universal is said to have paid for North American rights.
The James Bond-like action thriller is among the buzziest projects in Cannes this year, thanks to the star power of the five leading ladies, each bringing in a fanbase from a disparate box-office territory.
Crucially for Huayi Bros, Fan is one of the largest box-office draws in the Middle Kingdom, the world's soon-to-be-biggest theatrical market.
Simon Kinberg is set to direct from a script to be written by Theresa Rebeck (Catwoman). The plot is said to revolve around five spies from agencies around the world who form their own team, dubbed 355.
Freckle Films’ Chastain and Kelly Carmichael will produce 355 alongside Simon Kinberg of Kinberg Genre.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter by
