Project is the first package to be sold through XYZ Film’s New Visions initiative for international filmmakers; New slate to launch in Cannes for world sales
Christina Hendricks is set to star in the psychological thriller RECKONER, written and directed by Nissar Modi (writer of Z FOR ZACHARIAH) who will be making his big screen directorial debut. The film is based on a short story by Rachel Ingalls and will be produced by XYZ Films and Two & Two Pictures, with XYZ Films financing. XYZ Films has also added RECKONER to its New Visions slate of films, with world sales launching at Cannes. New Visions is a recently launched initiative designed to spotlight the boldest new voices alongside established talent striking a new path in the international space and RECKONER will be the very first package in pre-production to run through the new slate.
In the film, an affluent woman’s carefully constructed life is disrupted by a young man connected to a tightly-held secret from her past.
Hendricks is best known for her iconic role as Joan Harris on the hit series “Mad Men.” She also recently starred in the hit NBC series “Good Girls,” and has also appeared in the features AMERICAN WOMAN, DRIVE, NEON DEMON and voiced the role of Gabby Gabby in TOY STORY 4. She will next be seen in the Apple+ series “The Buccaneers.”
Modi is the screenwriter of BREAKING AT THE EDGE and Z FOR ZACHARIAH and has written scripts for a wide array of actors and filmmakers including Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gary Ross, Matt Reeves and David Mackenzie.
RECKONER is part of Two & Two and XYZ’s partnership to produce films from first and second time genre filmmakers from underrepresented demographics. Previously, XYZ and Two & Two have collaborated on Babak Anvari’s UNDER THE SHADOW and I CAME BY, as well as the upcoming HISTORY OF EVIL, written and directed by Bo Mirhosseni.
XYZ will launch the New Visions slate in Cannes with Directors’ Fortnight selection IN FLAMES, a Pakistani-Canadian horror film directed by Zarrar Kahn and executive produced by Shant Joshi. Additional titles in the initial New Visions slate include Tribeca Official Selection THE SEEDING from director Barnaby Clay, Czech science fiction title RESTORE POINT, directed by Robert Hloz and produced by Jan Kallista, which will have footage screened at the Marché du Film as part of the Fantastic 7 lineup and Paul Duane’s upcoming Irish folk horror ALL YOU NEED IS DEATH.
“I’m delighted to be working with the immensely talented Christina Hendricks on this haunting tale of guilt, obsession and revenge. It’s a film I’ve been envisioning for many years ever since I read Rachel Ingalls’ remarkable short story, and am excited to finally bring it to life thanks to the ever-supportive teams at XYZ Films and Two and Two.” commented Nissar Modi.
Two & Two also has Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire’s film, BLACK FLIES, in official competition at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, and is in post-production on Max & Sam Eggers’, THE FRONT ROOM, for A24 Films.
“We’re thrilled to be working with this wonderful team on RECKONER, a film which reminds us of many of our favorite psychological thrillers, like Cape Fear or Nocturnal Animals, but offers a stylized and contemporary spin on the genre that is distinctly Nissar.” commented Mila Cottray, Head of Production and Finance, Two & Two Pictures.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be working alongside Nissar to bring his debut feature to the world. We’ve been enormous fans of his work and with RECKONER he’s delivered a script that is gripping, engaging and deeply challenging. It’s exactly what we would hope for from him. And mix in a chance to continue the relationship with Two & Two that began with Babak Anvari’s UNDER THE SHADOW? It’s a dream team,” said Todd Brown, Head of International Acquisitions, XYZ Films.
XYZ’s classic titles include THE RAID franchise, 2017 Sundance winner I DON’T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE, Panos Cosmatos’ psychedelic revenge thriller MANDY, and Karyn Kusama’s THE INVITATION. XYZ’s current projects include Berlin competition title BLACKBERRY from director Matt Johnson which stars Glenn Howerton and Jay Baruchel, ASH starring Eiza González and Aaron Paul and to be directed by Flying Lotus, SEVEN VEILS starring Amanda Seyfried and directed by Atom Egoyan, Sundance selection RUN RABBIT RUN directed by Dana Reid and starring Sarah Snook, DANIELA FOREVER to be directed by Nacho Vigalondo and starring Henry Golding. The XYZ slate also includes Nick Cassavetes’ GOD IS A BULLET starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maika Monroe and Jamie Foxx, NOCEBO directed by Lorcan Finnegan with Eva Green and Mark Strong, and ACCUSED from BAFTA-nominated BOILING POINT director Phillip Barantini. XYZ is in post-production on the Netflix Original HAVOC, directed by Gareth Evans and starring Tom Hardy and Forest Whitaker.
Hendricks is repped by UTA, Independent Talent Group and LINK Entertainment. Modi is repped by 42 and VanderKloot Law.
About Two & Two Pictures:
Founded by Babak Anvari and Lucan Toh, Two & Two Pictures is a London and Los Angeles based Production Company dedicated to creating distinctive, filmmaker-driven content for film, television and emerging formats. Babak and Lucan first worked together on Anvari’s debut feature film, UNDER THE SHADOW, which was the UK selection for the Foreign Language Academy Award and won the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut in 2017. Two & Two produced Anvari’s second feature WOUNDS, and the anthology horror series MONSTERLAND for Hulu, The Company recently completed Anvari’s hugely successful third feature, I CAME BY, for Netflix and is in post-production on Max & Sam Eggers’ THE FRONT ROOM for A24, Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire’s BLACK FLIES, and Bo Mirhosseni’s HISTORY OF EVIL.
About XYZ Films:
XYZ Films is an independent studio whose mission is to empower visionary storytellers from every corner of the planet. As a producer, financier, and distributor, the company is uniquely suited to identify talented filmmakers and bring their stories to life. XYZ recently expanded into talent management, working with a global roster of filmmakers. XYZ was founded in 2008 by Nate Bolotin, Nick Spicer, and Aram Tertzakian. The company’s classic titles include THE RAID franchise, 2017 Sundance winner I DON’T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE, Panos Cosmatos’ psychedelic revenge thriller MANDY, and Karyn Kusama’s THE INVITATION.
