News: Universal Wins Bidding War For The Spy Thriller 355




Universal won a bidding war for the U.S. rights to the spy thriller franchis 355. It is being directed by Simon Kinberg and will star Jessica Chastain, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Fan Bingbing and Lupita Nyong’o. The deal is upwards of $20 million, with the promise of a wide theatrical release. The film will have a budget somewhere near $75 million. Bidders for the domestic rights included Amazon Studios and Global Road, but Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley was said to be on a mission to land this major film with franchise potential

The female spy thriller is being written by Theresa Rebeck from an idea from Jessica Chastain and is looking to be a female centered spy thriller ensemble that is similar to the Bourne Identity, Mission: Impossible and the James Bond films. The actresses will play five accomplished secret agents from countries around the world. They have to overcome suspicions and political differences to form a spy sisterhood to thwart a common enemy.  This will be Simon Kinberg's second film as director, following his directorial debut on X-Men: Dark Phoenix