So, you’re a first time filmmaker. You pour you heart, time, soul, energy and more into a passion project, spend long months shooting and editing and then finally show it off to the world. If you’re lucky, you get good reviews. If you’re luckier it builds up more steam and you land a distribution deal, maybe it’ll get a limited release opening. Perhaps it’ll break even, and some doors will open, and your next project can move forward. It’s the same drill whether you’re new to the industry or even, like Ryan Gosling, a big name actor turned director. Wait, scratch that…
Warner Bros. has snapped up the U.S. rights to Gosling’s directorial debut “How To Catch A Monster,” giving a major studio home to his first movie. Not bad, not bad at all. Written by the star, and featuring Christina Hendricks, Ben Mendelsohn, Eva Mendes, Saoirse Ronan and “Doctor Who” star Matt Smith, the fantasy thriller centers on Billy, a single mother of two, who is swept into a macabre and dark fantasy underworld while her teenage son discovers a secret road leading to an underwater town. Both Billy and Bones must dive deep into the mystery, if their family is to survive.
WB ponied up $3 million bucks, with ‘Monster’ hitting the sales floor at Cannes next for international folks. It’s a smart play by WB, who have benefited in the past by swooping in on indie productions. They snapped up “Magic Mike” for $7 million only for it turn into unexpected hit and franchise. Obviously, expectations are slightly lower here but they likely believe ‘Monster’ can find a decent sized audience. Perhaps we’ll find out in 2014. [Deadline]
