A24, working on its new mandate to behave aggressively within the pursuit of initiatives, simply outplayed the Hollywood studios and streamers to be able to choose up Checkmate, a sizzling characteristic bundle centered on a e book proposal by Ben Mezrich, the writer whose books have been tailored into movies such The Social Community and Dumb Cash.
If offers shut, Checkmate will reteam Emma Stone with Nathan Fielder, who each adorned the latest version of The Hollywood Reporter journal and the celebs of the Showtime collection The Curse. Fielder is connected to direct, whereas Stone will produce alongside along with her husband and accomplice Dave McCary by way of the duo’s Fruit Tree banner. It additionally reunites the pair with A24, which backed The Curse. Sources say the e book deal is closing or has closed whereas the expertise offers are nonetheless being hammered out.
In true Mezrich trend, Checkmate sees the writer tackling an esoteric and true life whose story should still be growing. Per the proposal that was being circulated, the e book will highlight the largest scandal within the historical past of chess, specializing in the generational battle between Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and the younger unhealthy boy of chess, Hans Niemann. The latter was accused of dishonest in one of many pair’s head-to-head matches, which turned an all-consuming scandal on the planet of chess and past. Per the bundle, the story shouldn’t be solely in regards to the rivalry and the scandal, however the macro backdrop is the rise of a billion greenback chess trade and so-called “collision of custom and innovation” within the recreation.
Hans Niemann (left) and Magnus Carlsen (proper) have been caught up in a dishonest scandal in 2022 that shocked the world of chess.
OLAF KRAAK/ANP/AFP by way of Getty Photos; Marcus Brandt/image alliance by way of Getty Photos
The sale of Checkmate had a seemingly antiquated Queen’s Gambit, with an outreach that hearkened to spec or bundle gross sales of yore. The e book proposal, all 12-pages of it, connected completely different expertise and producers that was then despatched out to completely different studios and streamers, “territories,” because it have been.
Ron Howard was connected to direct and Air scribe Alex Convery headlined a bundle that went into Amazon, for instance. Netflix and Apple had one with Welsh actor Taron Egerton connected to star. Harry Potter producer David Heyman was concerned in a bundle that went to Warner Bros. A complete of six producers have been concerned, in line with one supply.
Gives have been within the strategy of being made by the streamers and a studio when A24 dove in with what sources say was a proposal that assured seven figures, and got here in with a half-hour timer. It was a proposal that was swiftly accepted.
“I’ve by no means seen A24 do this earlier than,” stated one insider, who stated the deal left executives and brokers’ head spinning.
“I assume A24 is competing now,” stated one other supply.
A24 has been the buzzy darling of the movie scene, making edgy horrors, dramas and documentaries all on modest budgets and attracting the best filmmakers. However the firm in current months introduced plans to scale up, with its most up-to-date film, Civil Battle, Alex Garland’s thriller that value $55 million, a prototype of the size of film to which it needs to stage up. Nevertheless it hasn’t been straightforward — one challenge the corporate wished to amass was Danny Boyle’s return to the zombie style, 28 Years Later, nevertheless it was outbid. A24 was decided to flex its may on the subsequent one, if the best challenge match their plans. Checkmate, certainly.
Mezrich is repped by CAA. Stone and Fruit Tree are repped by WME and Nameless Content material. Fielder is repped by UTA and Rise Administration.