Hercules Film Fund has come on-board to co-finance the sci-fi thriller “Tau,” starring Maika Monroe and Ed Skrein, alongside Ken Kao’s Waypoint Entertainment.
Federico D’ Alessandro is directing “Tau” from a script by Noga Landau, with principal photography taking place in Serbia.
David S. Goyer, writer of The Dark Knight trilogy, and “The Birth of a Nation” producer Kevin Turen are producing under their Phantom Four banner alongside Russell Ackerman and John Schoenfelder for Addictive Pictures. Rhea Films will co-produce, with Terry Dougas and Jean-Luc De Fanti serving as executive producers along with Ken Kao, Dan Kao and Luc Etienne will serve as executive producers.
Bloom is handling international sales and WME is representing the U.S. rights.
Monroe is playing a street-smart grifter who’s the latest victim kidnapped and held captive in a fatal experiment. The only thing standing in the way of her freedom is an advanced artificial intelligence developed by Skrein’s character.
Monroe starred in “Independence Day: Resurgence” and Skrein starred in “Deadpool.”
Hercules Film Fund financed Tom Cruise’s “Mena,” directed by Doug Limas. The fund was set up to bring European investors, including Greek entrepreneur Paris Kasidokostas-Latsis, to Hollywood to finance wide release films.
Waypoint Entertainment recently acquired the rights to two Mark Millar properties, “American Jesus” and “Supercrooks.” It’s teamed with Bloom on Martin Zandvliet’s “The Outsider,” starring Jared Leto; Scott Cooper’s “Hostiles,” starring Christian Bale; and Kate and Laura Mulleavy’s “Woodshock,” starring Kirsten Dunst.
Phantom Four produced Fox Searchlight’s “The Birth of A Nation,” which is due to open Oct. 7. Goyer is an executive producer on the film, which Nate Parker directed and stars in. Phantom Four is also developing “Miles” with Open Road and Lakeshore Entertainment and Max Landis’ “Deeper,” starring Bradley Cooper, with Addictive Pictures for MGM.