Melissa Leo, the Oscar-winning star of “The Fighter,” will appear in “The Mannequin,” a serial killer procedural from Sean Byrne, the twisted auteur behind “Dangerous Animals.”
Studiocanal’s new genre label Sixth Dimension is backing the film and will launch worldwide sales at Cannes. It will release the picture in the U.K., France, Germany, Benelux, Poland, Australia and New Zealand. Elevation Pictures will handle distribution in Canada. Byrne will write and direct and the film will head into production this summer.
Leo’s credits include “Prisoners” and “Frozen River,” which earned her an Oscar nomination for best actress. She also appeared in “London Has Fallen,” “Flight” and “Conviction.” Byrne’s “Dangerous Animals,” a survival thriller involving a psychopath and sharks, grossed over $9 million worldwide on a budget of $2 million. His credits include “The Loved Ones” and “The Devil’s Candy.”
“After wading through bloodied waters together on ‘Dangerous Animals,’ I’m thrilled to be alongside my friends at Studiocanal’s Sixth Dimension, I can’t wait to unleash ‘The Mannequin’ on the big screen,” Byrne said. “There have been other serial killer procedurals, but this is its own thrillingly deranged beast—twisted, intense, propulsive, and anchored by a fearless performance from Melissa Leo, building to a shocking twist you won’t see coming. It’ll put you on the edge of your seat and keep you there.”
“The Mannequin” is produced by William Woods, Maddy Falle for Page 12 Pictures Inc. and Kristian Moliere for Triptych Pictures. Executive Producers are Steven Schneider, Phil Hunt, Compton Ross, Charlie Kemball and Jed Benedict for Studiocanal’s Sixth Dimensio. Head Gear Films packaged the project with Steven Schneider’s Room 101.
Byrne is represented by The Fleming Agency, Innovative Artists Entertainment, Echo Lake Entertainment and Paul Hastings.
variety.com
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