In one of the bigger deals being thrashed out during the Cannes market, Focus Features is working on a domestic pact in the $11M range for Paul Greengrass‘ peasant revolt movie "The Rage", with Two-time Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield is in active negotiations to replace Matthew McConaughey as the lead.
The film is set during the Peasants’ Revolt, a major uprising that took part across large parts of England in 1381 in response to socio-economic and political tensions and high taxation.
Should a deal get done, Garfield would play a farmer who becomes the leader of the revolt. It has been speculated that the character could be based on the legendary Wat Tyler, who led the uprising before being killed by forces loyal to King Richard, though this is unconfirmed.
Garfield’s English background (the dual UK-U.S. national was raised in the UK) makes him a good fit for the project. Between "Spider-Man," "Hacksaw Ridge," "The Social Network," and "tick tick…BOOM!", he has long proven able to mix it between action and prestige roles that connect with audiences and garner significant box office.
Garfield is coming off romantic drama "We Live in Time", which took close to $60M worldwide, and next will be seen opposite Julia Roberts in Luca Guadagnino’s "After the Hunt".
Oscar nominee Greengrass, well known for the "Bourne" franchise and such movies as "Captain Phillips" and "United 93", is scripting the project.
Jason Blum is producing through Blumhouse Productions, with Greg Goodman, Joanna Kaye and Greengrass. CAA Media Finance is repping domestic. FilmNation is selling international. Focus has been into the project for a while and began talks at EFM.
Focus is coming off a busy and lucrative awards season thanks to "Conclave" and "Nosferatu". It’s at the Cannes Film Festival with Wes Anderson’s "Phoenician Scheme" and "The History of Sound", and there are high hopes later this year for movies such as "Hamnet", "Bugonia", and the next "Downton Abbey" installment.
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