What Happens in Vegas: THR’s Hot List of the Buzziest Movies at AFM

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As a seasoned film enthusiast with a penchant for action-packed thrillers and a soft spot for period dramas, I must admit that this year’s American Film Market lineup is nothing short of intriguing!

This year’s American Film Market in Las Vegas (Nov. 5-10) has independent action films on the rise, and those involved in production and distribution are placing high stakes on their resurgence.

The AFM (American Film Market) emerged in the 1980s, modeled after high-octane action films that were popular during this era, led by stars like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steven Segal, Chuck Norris, and Jean-Claude Van Damme. However, in contemporary film markets, horror movies have overshadowed action, with blockbusters such as Neon’s “Longlegs” and Cineverse’s “Terrifier 3” making headlines.

2024’s American Film Market (AFM) is set to deliver plenty of thrills, with a significant number of the industry’s most talked-about projects falling under the action genre. Some of these, interestingly enough, don’t feature familiar faces like Liam Neeson, Gerard Butler, Jason Statham, or Nic Cage. Instead, they star emerging talents such as Daisy Ridley, Amber Midthunder, and Alan Ritchson. The market’s response to these new action stars will shape who we’ll see wielding guns in the poster art for upcoming films.

However, it’s important to note that AFM isn’t exclusive to genre films alone. The Hollywood Reporter’s annual list of intriguing sales titles showcases a diverse range of offerings, catering to various tastes. This includes serious art-house dramas starring Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Jessica Chastain, as well as an adult animated musical with singing sperm.

Alpha Gang

DIRECTORS David Zellner and Nathan Zellner

Break the Cycle

DIRECTOR Devonte Brown

Cleaner

As a thrilled admirer, I’d rephrase that exciting synopsis like this:

Day Drinker

Movie director Marc Webb is back with an action thriller, titled yet to be revealed. Starring the duo from “Pirates of the Caribbean”, Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz, this film comes from the same creative minds as the “Amazing Spider-Man” and “John Wick” productions, with Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee at the helm. This project aims to gauge the audience’s interest in a mainstream comeback for Depp, who has recently ventured into international period films such as “Jeanne du Barry” and “Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness”, where he both acted and directed respectively. Lionsgate will be handling the sales.

The Drama

In this project, titled The Drama, the esteemed director Kristoffer Borgli is at the helm. This movie boasts an impressive cast that includes Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Mamoudou Athie, and Alana Haim. With such a talented team, it’s no wonder there’s a buzz surrounding this film. Even though the storyline is still under wraps, having Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in a movie directed by Kristoffer Borgli is enough to spark curiosity among international specialty buyers everywhere. As for the distribution rights, A24 has them secured.

Dreams

DIRECTOR Michel Franco

Eye for an Eye

Title Director: Colin Tilley

Fairytale in New York

DIRECTOR: Jalmari Helander

Faster Than Horses

Director: James Erskine

Hammer Down

DIRECTOR Simon Hatt (also known as) – James Gunn’s protege
STARRING Idris Elba
PLOT SUMMARY In a standard action movie directed by the James Gunn-trained Hatt (who co-produced Suicide Squad), we see Elba as a truck driver with no moral compass, tasked with delivering mysterious packages for shady clients. However, things take an unexpected turn when he decides to bring his daughter along for a ride, and their vehicle is ambushed by a ruthless gang seeking to steal the illicit cargo.
EXPECTED REVENUE Black Bear

The Housekeeper

In this adaptation, director Richard Eyre presents a captivating drama set in the 1930s. Titled “Rebecca’s Tangled Past,” it offers an imaginative prequel to Daphne du Maurier’s renowned novel “Rebecca.” The story follows the journey of a young writer, portrayed by Phoebe Dynevor, who becomes embroiled in a passionate and complex love affair with a Polish housekeeper (Uma Thurman), employed by the wealthy widower Lord DeWithers (Anthony Hopkins). This intriguing tale has been acquired for distribution by Embankment Films and CAA Media Finance.

I Love Boosters

DIRECTOR Boots Riley

John Cranko

DIRECTOR: Joachim A. Lang

Kill the Jockey

Director: Luis Ortega

Kraken

This distribution company)

The Light Fantastic

Title Role: Chris Cottam

Merciless

DIRECTOR Martin Villeneuve

Monkey Hill

DIRECTOR Sarah Adina Smith

Painter

DIRECTOR Garrett Warren

The Performance

Title Director: Shira Piven

Spermageddon

DIRECTORS Tommy Wirkola, Rasmus A. Sivertsen

Splitsville

Michael Covino (Director)

Untitled Christy Martin

DIRECTOR David Michôd\

“You can find this tale in the October 30 edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To stay updated, consider subscribing.

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2024-10-30 20:27