Good news for those looking forward to the next film of the Oscar-winning director Tom McCarthy of Spotlight. Sony Pictures Classics has picked up his yet-untitled project, which is based on Nathaniel Rich’s book “Losing Earth,” with the screenplay adaptation penned jointly by Thomas Bidegan and Noé Debré.
A report in Variety describes the film as a “dramatic, darkly comic, true story set at the onset of the climate change debate, when the science was proven but political and industry forces ultimately derailed progress."
According to the official logline, the story is set in 1980, Florida. “20 experts gather for a weekend conference on a global issue that is starting to gain traction: the effects of Co2 emissions on the climate. This group of scientists, activists, and policymakers has one simple mandate from Congress: write a statement about what to do. Easier said than done.”
In an official statement, McCarthy said, “What drew me to this story originally was the timeless idea that no matter our differences, we must find ways to work together if we have a hope of solving our problems. The joy of working on the movie so far has been realizing how entertaining that process can be. I feel incredibly lucky that these amazing partners, including Anonymous Content and Sony Pictures Classics, are all making it together for the right reasons.”
Sony Pictures Classics representatives called it a "spectacular screenplay" that addresses a pertinent subject. "The untitled film promises to be a major movie with a stellar cast and director Tom McCarthy, who we have wanted to work with since his first film (“The Station Agent”) over 20 years ago. It is a privilege to be involved,” they added.
Producers include Jonathan King, David Levine for Anonymous Content, Jim Whitaker, and McCarthy for Slow Pony. Jonathan Schwartz, Nick Shumaker, and Bard Dorros of Anonymous Content, along with Mary Aloe of Aloe Entertainment.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are involved as executive producers through their company Artists Equity, aside from Alex Gibney, Wendy Schmidt, Richard Perello and Robert Kessel for Jigsaw Productions; Alex Lebovici for Hammerstone Studios; Bidegan, Debré and Nathaniel Rich; Billy James Parrott; Laurene Powell Jobs and Davis Guggenheim for Concordia; Andrew Lauren and Blye Faust under the banner of Andrew Lauren Productions; Rob Rosenheck for Galisteo Media; and Rae Baron for Slow Pony.
