Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder
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A24, acting on its new mandate to act aggressively in pursuit of projects, left Hollywood studios and streamers behind. checkmateA hot feature package focuses on a book proposal from Ben Mezrich, the author whose books were adapted into films Social Networks And Dumb money.
If deals close, checkmate Will reteams Emma Stone with Nathan Fielder, who both decorated the most recent edition of hollywood reporter Magazine and stars of the Showtime series curse, Fielder is attached to direct, while Stone will produce with her husband and partner Dave McCary via the Fruit Tree banner. This reunites the pair with A24, who supported curse, Sources say book deals are closing or have been closed while talent deals are still underway.
In true Mezrich fashion, checkmate sees the author grappling with an enigmatic and true-to-life story whose story is still developing. According to the proposal being circulated, the book will shed light on the biggest scandal in chess history, centering on the generational battle between Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and chess’s young bad boy, Hans Niemann. The latter was accused of cheating in one of the pair’s head-to-head matches, which became a ubiquitous scandal in the world of chess and beyond. According to the package, the story is not only about rivalry and scandal, but the broader background is the rise of a billion-dollar chess industry and the so-called “clash of tradition and innovation” in the game.
Hans Niemann (left) and Magnus Carlsen (right) were embroiled in a cheating scandal in 2022 that shocked the chess world.
Olaf Crack/ANP/AFP via Getty Images; Marcus Brandt/Picture Alliance via Getty Images
sale of checkmate He had a seemingly ancient Queen’s Gambit, with an outreach that hearkened back to earlier niche or package sales. The book’s proposal, in all 12 pages of it, included different talents and producers, which were then sent out to different studios and streamers, “territories”.
Ron Howard was attached to direct. Air For example, author Alex Convery titled a package that went to Amazon. Netflix and Apple had a star attached to Welsh actor Taron Egerton. harry potter Producer David Heyman was included in the package that went to Warner Bros. According to one source, a total of six producers were involved.
Streamers and a studio were in the process of making offers when A24 came in, with what sources say was an offer that guaranteed seven figures, and came with a 30-minute timer. It was a proposal that was immediately accepted.
“I’ve never seen A24 do this before,” said one insider, who added that the deal turned the heads of executives and agents.
Another source said, “I think A24 is competing now.”
A24 has been a darling of the film landscape, creating terrifying horrors, dramas and documentaries on modest budgets and attracting the best of the best filmmakers. But the company has announced plans to expand in a big way in recent months, with its most recent film. civil war, Alex Garland’s thriller that cost $55 million to produce, is a prototype of the scale of film it aims to take up. But it wasn’t easy – one project the company wanted to achieve was Danny Boyle’s return to the zombie genre, after 28 years, but its bid was higher. A24 was determined to flex its muscles on the next project if the right project fit into their plans. checkmateIn fact.
Mezrich is repped by CAA. Stone & Fruit Tree is represented by WME and Anonymous Content, the company is co-managed by Mosaic. Fielder is represented by UTA and Rise Management.
