ROBOTS from Cannes: Shailene Woodley, Jack Whitehall wind up in new Anthony Hines film

by Screenmancer Staff

LONDON, UK: Rocket Science announced today that Shailene Woodley (“Big Little Lies,” Adrift, The Spectacular Now) will star in rollicking comedy Robots for Academy Award^® nominated writer Anthony Hines (the writer of Borat, Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm, Brüno) who will co-direct with Casper Christensen (“Klown”). Woodley will star alongside Jack Whitehall (upcoming Jungle Cruise, The Bad Education Movie, Mother’s Day). Rocket Science is handling international sales on the film in the Virtual Cannes Market, while CAA Media Finance, which arranged financing, is co-representing the film’s domestic distribution rights with Cassian Elwes’ Elevated who is producing with Stephen Hamel at Company Films.

Based on the short story by acclaimed science fiction writer Robert Sheckley, Hines and Christensen penned the screenplay, which focuses on a womanizer and a gold digger who learn humanity when forced to team up and pursue robot doubles of themselves, who have fallen in love and run away together. Hamel developed the project under his Company Films banner.

Writer and co- director, Anthony Hines said: “At a time when comedies are needed more than ever, I couldn’t be more delighted than to have Shailene and Jack team up to play the leads in this movie”. 

Woodley is a celebrated actress, well regarded for her roles in such memorable films as the coming-of-age romance, The Fault in Our Stars, The Divergent Series, Endings, Beginnings, The Descendants, and most recently HBO’s “Big Little Lies,” where she was nominated for an Emmy® alongside Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman. Woodley recently wrapped the lead role and served as a producer on the indie film Misanthrope and stars in the upcoming Netflix and Studio Canal feature film The Last Letter from Your Lover, which she also produced.

Production is set to begin this August in New Mexico. Woodley is repped by Hyperion and attorney Felker, Toczek, Suddelston Abramson.

Ant Hines has been Sacha Baron Cohen’s creative partner for over 20 years and co-wrote the two Borat movies, earning an Oscar nomination on each occasion, as well this year winning a Golden Globe for Best Comedy Movie and a WGA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. In addition, he was Sacha’s co-writer and producer for Ali G, Bruno, The Dictator, The Brothers Grimsby and Who Is America?

Casper Christensen is Denmark’s foremost comedic talent. Writing and starring in multiple TV shows and movies over the years, he is perhaps best known for co-creating, writing, directing and co-starring in the beloved TV comedy, Klown. Currently shooting its 9th season, Klown has also spawned three smash hit spin-off movies – also co-written by and co-starring Casper – the first of which is the most successful comedy in Danish box office history.

Thorsten Schumacher and Jere Hausfater will serve as Executive Producers.

Rocket Science’s Cannes slate includes Sean Penn’s Flag Day which screens in Official Competition and Eva Husson’s Mothering Sunday which screens in the Premiere Section. Recently announced projects include: Todd Haynes’ May December starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore; Zach Braff’s A Good Person starring Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman; Robbie Williams biopic Better Man from director Michael Gracey; Sophia Banks’ Black Site starring Jason Clarke, Michelle Monaghan and Jai Courtney; and Oliver Hermanus’ Living starring Bill Nighy and Aimee Lou Wood.

Recap:

SHAILENE WOODLEY JOINS JACK WHITEHALL IN FAST-PACED COMEDY “ROBOTS” FROM BORAT WRITER ANTHONY HINE

Rocket Science to Continue Sales During the Virtual Cannes Market

Here’s ROCKET SCIENCE

Established in London, 2016, ROCKET SCIENCE is one of the most globally recognized, international film entertainment companies, working with top tier talent and producers to create compelling content for modern film and television audiences. Since its inception, it has financed, produced, packaged and sold over two dozen critically acclaimed and commercially successful films including: Julian Schnabel’s At Eternity’s Gate, starring Willem Dafoe who was nominated for an Academy Award® for his turn as Vincent van Gogh; David Lowery’s The Old Man and the Gun, starring Robert Redford; and Karyn Kusama’s Destroyer, starring Nicole Kidman. With proven taste and an objective-driven approach, ROCKET SCIENCE’S recent and upcoming slate includes: Aml Ameen’s Boxing Day starring Ameen, Aja-Naomi King and Leigh-Anne Pinnock; Thomas M Wright’s The Unknown Man starring Joel Edgerton; Ellen Kuras’ Lee staring Kate Winslet and Ana Lily Amirpour’s Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon.

For further information, visit: www.rocket-science.net

[Shailene Woodley photo credit: L. Clendenin]

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