AMBI Distribution, the sales arm of the AMBI Group, is handling worldwide sales and will be introducing the film to buyers in Cannes next month.
Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Rhys Meyers have signed on to star in the psychological thriller Black Butterfly.
Directed by Brian Goodman (What Doesn’t Kill You), the movie is a remake of the French filmPapillon Noir, written by Herve Korian. Justin Stanley and Steve Hilts are writing the English-language screenplay.
Banderas will play Paul, a down-on-his-luck screenwriter who picks up a drifter (Rhys Meyers) and offers him a place to stay. However, when the deranged stranger takes Paul hostage and forces him to write, their unhinged relationship brings buried secrets to light.
Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi’s AMBI Group and Silvio Muraglia’s Paradox Studios are financing and producing Black Butterfly. Marc Frydman also is producing, while Mikael Wiren and Alexandra Klim are executive producing.
AMBI Distribution, the sales arm of the AMBI Group, is handling worldwide sales and will be introducing the film to buyers in Cannes next month.
Principal photography is slated to begin in May in Italy.
“This is a film where emotions cascade as the story unfolds with twists and turns that create unrelenting drama and thrills,” Iervolino said Thursday in a statement. “To pull it off, you need an actor with real gravitas and proven connectivity with audiences, so we feel fortunate to have Antonio step into this incredible role and do what he does best — own a role and deliver amazing performances.”
Added Bacardi: “We are thrilled to be producing a film with such amazing talent on both sides of the camera. Antonio is a powerful force onscreen and has a role here that will tap into his amazing versatility as an actor. On the other side of the camera, we couldn’t be happier to put this film in the hands of Brian, whose vision and passion for this project is tremendously inspiring.”
Banderas is repped by Paradigm, Media Art Management and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman; Rhys Meyers is handled by Brillstein Entertainment; and Goodman is with APA.
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