J.J. Abrams Dust
Good morning: In today's edition of The Industry, we look at:
J.J. Abrams’ series, Rachel Zegler’s indie, and a Subversion.
Let’s go!
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THE INDUSTRY TLDR
Max drops trailer for Duster, a '70s-set crime thriller from JJ Abrams and LaToya Morgan.
Rachel Zegler stars in She Gets It From Me, an indie comedy-drama.
HBO greenlights Unentitled, a comedy series from Robby Hoffman.
Krisen Zolner, the Head of TV at Imagine Entertainment, has left the company.
Sony’s 3000 Pictures to adapt sci-fi novel Miss Archer.
Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks lead Prime Video thriller series The Better Sister.
Chris Hemsworth stars in submarine thriller Subversion for Amazon MGM.
Orlando Bloom’s Deep Cover sets June 12 release via Amazon MGM.
Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, is Cannes Market’s biggest budgeted title.
Takashi Miike’s Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo lands Neon as US distributor.
Scorsese produces Aldeas, a doc featuring Pope Francis’ final interview.
Coverfly, the online script database, will shut down on August 1.
Emma Stone’s Fruit Tree names Amy Hodge as Head of TV.
THE INDUSTRY NEWS
Max’s Duster has a hair-trigger charm. The 1970s-set crime thriller is co-created by J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan (Consulting Producer: The Walking Dead).
Duster follows the first Black female FBI agent (Rachel Hilson), recruiting a getaway driver (Josh Holloway) to dismantle a crime syndicate. We get a lot of action, car chases, and two-bury-the-body scenes. I can't help but think of True Detective mixed with Fargo, mixed with Boogie Nights.
An interesting take on the buddy cop genre, and a welcome return for Abrams to TV.
The eight-episode series premieres July 3. Trailer here.
Fresh off Snow White, Rachel Zegler stars in indie comedy-drama She Gets It From Me, alongside Marisa Tomei. Directed by Julia von Heinz (dir: Treasure starring Lena Dunham), the film follows Nicky (Zegler) as her engagement celebration sparks a search for her estranged, pill-popping, ex-punk rocker birth mother Charlotte (Tomei). They are hoping for a Cannes offer, currently being shopped by Embankment Films (sales rep: The Father).
HBO greenlights Unentitled, a comedy series. The creator/writer/star is Robby Hoffman. If you don’t know the name, check out her phenomenal work in Hacks season 4, or in FX’s Dying for Sex as the BDSM consultant showing Michelle Williams the path to submission and salvation.
Unentitled synopsis:
A stubborn comedian (Hoffman) navigates life's obstacles while chasing her stand-up dreams and refusing to compromise her unique perspective on the world.
Hoffman truly has a unique perspective as a current/former stand-up. Carolyn Strauss (Game of Thrones, The Last of Us) produces.
Sony’s 3000 Pictures likes an indie sci-fi. They have just picked Miss Archer, the new novel by Jordan Harrison (source novel: Jon Hamm’s Majorie Prime).
Miss Archer Synopsis:
In an isolated mansion, Dre agrees to be governess to Albie, a peculiar child. Everyone must pretend to live in 1884, following strict rules. As she uncovers disturbing secrets, Dre seeks to protect Albie, whose importance could be vital.
Harrison will write the screenplay while Nina Jacobson (The Hunger Games) and Brad Simpson (Crazy Rich Asians) will produce.
FX’s Shōgun Season 2 kicks off production in Jan 2026 in Vancouver. Leads Hiroyuki Sanada and Cosmo Jarvis will return.
Synopsis:
10 years after the events of the first season and continue the historically-inspired saga of these two men from different worlds whose fates are inextricably entwined.
The first season was based on the acclaimed novel by James Clavell, so it’ll be interesting to see where they take things.
Tidbits:
Luca Guadagnino’s Sgt. Rock film, once set to star Colin Farrell, is now not happening. While not scrapped entirely, plans now target a summer 2026 shoot. This arguably dubious (non-superpowered) wartime DCU film was thrown into chaos when star Daniel Craig exited the project.
The Head of TV at Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment, Krisen Zolner, is parting ways with the company. In that position since 2022, she oversaw projects like the Peacock series reboots of The Burbs led by Keke Palmer, Friday Night Lights, and Netflix Mexico’s The Gringo Hunters.
As NBCUniversal’s spinoff company SpinCo takes form, more layoffs are happening. A few dozen NBCUniversal employees across multiple cable networks, as well as Peacock, primarily in the marketing and communications departments, are being laid off. SpinCo will house networks like E!, Syfy, Oxygen, and USA Network.
Amazon MGM has confirmed Road House 2 with Jake Gyllenhaal returning and Guy Ritchie directing. Ritchie previously directed Gyllenhaal in The Covenant (2023).
AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron’s compensation dropped 55% in 2024 to $11.35M. AMC shares were down 8.8% in the past year and 39% in the last six months, amid a still-recovering box office.
New Series:
Netflix’s Mating Season. From the creators of the animated series Big Mouth. First look poster with some very confused cartoon animals.
Renewals:
Netflix’s Geek Girl (Renewed for Season 2).
THE ACTOR SPOTLIGHT
From God of Thunder to Commander of the Seas, Chris Hemsworth is set to star in the Amazon MGM thriller feature Subversion from German director Patrick Vollrath (Everything Will Be Okay).
Official Synopsis:
A naval commander is blackmailed into piloting a submarine with dangerous cargo across international waters.
Hemsworth is best known as the weather-controlling, hammer-wielding Thor, making his ninth appearance as the character in Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Doomsday next year. However, outside of the cape, Hemsworth played a similar role in the remake of Red Dawn (2012), where his Marine character was forced to think fast on his feet, up against international enemies.
Subversion has just begun pre-production.
Jessica Biel’s grief. Is Biel actually grieving the murder of her husband in Prime Video’s newest thriller series, The Better Sister? The series kicks off with Biel navigating the high-profile murder of her husband while her sister, played by Elizabeth Banks, battles an intense addiction. Despite the trailer following a tense crime investigation, the dynamic between the sisters is even more fraught. Craig Gillespie (Dumb Money, I, Tonya) directs and EPs alongside Biel and Banks with Tomorrow Studios (part of ITV Studios).
All eight episodes of The Better Sister will premiere on May 29th on Prime.
Tidbits:
Orlando Bloom plays a down-on-his-luck improv comedian who is asked to go undercover to bust criminals in Amazon MGM’s Deep Cover. He stars with Bryce Dallas Howard and Sean Bean (trailer). Produced by Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed, Jurassic World). Release date June 12th. Likely to rack up tens of millions of views with Bloom’s enduring Pirates popularity.
Chloe Fineman is the fairy godmother of sexual advice in Hulu’s raunchy comedy Summer of '69, about a girl who seeks to impress her crush by learning a specific sexual position and enlisting a stripper's (Fineman) help. Premiered at SXSW. Out on Hulu May 9th. Trailer.
First, look at Josh O’Connor in The Mastermind, premiering as an Official Selection at Cannes. O’Connor stars as a daring art thief during the Vietnam War. First look photo here. Directed by Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) and co-starring Gaby Hoffmann and Alana Haim. Mubi distributes.
Ezra director Tony Goldwyn joins Russell Crowe in Billion Dollar Spy, a Cold War thriller. Based on a true story, the film follows Soviet engineer Adolf Tolkachev, who risked everything to spy for the CIA. Billion Dollar Spy is currently in production. Rufus Sewell (A Knight's Tale) & Justin Theroux also join the cast.
Grammy-winning country star Lainey Wilson will make her feature film acting debut in Reminders of Him, Universal’s adaptation of the Colleen Hoover romance novel. Directed by Vanessa Caswill and set for a Valentine’s Day 2026 release, the film stars Maika Monroe as a young mother seeking redemption after prison. Wilson recently acted in Yellowstone and contributed to Twisters.
FESTIVALS
Cannes Market juggernaut. Typical projects that sell at Cannes are indie films. But not always. This year, we have a familiar name:
Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping
Budget: $150M - $200M
Cast: Jesse Plemons, McKenna Grace
US Distributer: Lionsgate
US Release date: November 20, 2026
Wild that even Lionsgate needs help de-risking the cost of one of its major tentpole franchises. While the Motion Picture segment posted a profit, Lionsgate overall lost $21.9M on $970M revenue last quarter.
Other big Cannes Market projects, including a new one starring Lily James:
https://theindustry.co/p/cannes-market-2025
Cannes competition films start closing deals.
StudioCanal sells official selection La venue de l'avenir (Colours of Time) by director Cédric Klapisch (Spanish Apartment, Call My Agent!) to 14 territories, including Switzerland. No word on the release date.
Untamable, premiering at the Director’s Fortnight, is boarded by Goodfellas (sales rep: Megalopolis, The Last Showgirl).
Kokuho, premiering at the Director’s Fortnight, is boarded by Pyramide (sales rep: The Shrouds, Portrait of a Lady on Fire).
The Cannes Immersive Competition Jury will be chaired by French director Luc Jacquet (March of the Penguins). Projects include Trailblazer starring Daisy Ridley.
INDIE FILMMAKER SPOTLIGHT
Martin Scorsese produces the documentary Aldeas — A New Story, featuring the last on-camera interview with Pope Francis.
Scorsese stated:
“It was important to Pope Francis for people across the globe to exchange ideas with respect while also preserving their cultural identity, and cinema is the best medium to do that.”
We don’t know much in terms of content for the doc, but Scorsese is ensconced in Pope-related projects. Just last year, his visit to the Pope inspired an upcoming screenplay about the life of Jesus.
Good Chaos (prod co: Sisu, Santosh, Orphan) inks first look deal with Searchlight, who will develop and produce with Good Chaos. The company was founded by Mike Goodridge, who previously served as CEO of Protagonist Pictures (The Florida Project, The Lobster).
Coverfly is shutting down. The platform served as a database of writers and IP in Hollywood. But beyond that, it was a place where screenwriters could connect with industry professionals and find competitions. It will sunset August 1st.
Morningstar Angeline (Westworld) has wrapped Sky Valley, a New Mexico-shot indie sci-fi drama where she stars as a mother searching for her daughter abducted by an otherworldly force. Directed by Jon and Tracy Nichole Cring.
Ron Delsener Presents is a madhouse doc following the biggest rock concert promoter for Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, KISS, Billy Joel, and Cher. Oh yeah, and those musicians all give interviews too (trailer). In theaters May 30th.
Oscar-winning composer Nino Rota, famed for The Godfather and Fellini’s films, is the subject of Nino, a new doc by Walter Fasano. The project blends archival footage and interviews with artists like Park Chan-wook. Currently filming in Italy.
Apple has released the first trailer for Bono: Stories of Surrender, Andrew Dominik’s (dir: Blonde) black-and-white concert film adaptation of Bono’s one-man stage show. Based on the U2 frontman’s memoir, it dives into his process and gives plenty of room for the notoriously secretive Bono to open up a bit. May 30 on Apple TV+ and Apple Vision Pro. Trailer here.
Indie/International film hires/exits:
Emma Stone’s Fruit Tree Production Company (The Curse, Fantasmas) has tapped former HBO exec Amy Hodge as Head of Television. Hodge will lead development and production across the company’s expanding TV slate. At HBO, she oversaw hits like I May Destroy You and The Rehearsal.
Ahead of Cannes, new distributor 1-2 Special has hired not one but two former industry veterans from MUBI. Amanda Trokan will serve as SVP of Acquisitions, and Nico Chapin will be the VP of Publicity. The NY-based company’s first acquisition and planned release is Radu Jude’s Kontinental ‘25, which won the screenplay prize at this year’s Berlin festival. 1-2 Special will be very active at Cannes, hoping to expand their international slate.
Former Netflix executive Kelly Dalton is starting her own production company, Higher Altitude Productions, after 7 years with the streamer. The company will have a focus on real and honest stories with their first film, Restorative Justice, Dalton’s own experience of sexual abuse. She is writing the screenplay in addition to developing the project with the hopes of inspiring others to reclaim their voices.
StudioCanal’s Germany division has hired Hooman Afshari and Lutz Rippe to run and oversee all operations as co-CEOs. Since 2006, Rippe has worked in the company’s Marketing team, and in his new role, he will be responsible for theatrical and home entertainment marketing. Afshari, who’s been with StudioCanal since 2012, is in charge of distribution activities in Germany.
Universal Pictures International has brought on former StudioCanal exec Kalle Friz as Managing Director for Germany and Austria. Friz will work to drive box office revenues and set strategic goals for the operating companies overseeing the sales, distribution, marketing, publicity, and finance in Germany and Austria, effective this July.
XYZ Films (Havoc, Subservience) has hired Marie Garrett, co-founder of Pulsar Content (sales rep: MadS), as SVP of Sales and Acquisitions. Based in Paris, Garrett will spearhead global co-productions and sales. She brings deep festival and genre experience, having overseen titles from Blumhouse and Cannes.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The Dardenne brothers are the most prolific filmmakers stepping onto the Croisette this year. This year’s The Young Mother's Home is their 10th official selection.
Synopsis:
Five young mothers living in a shelter strive for a better future for themselves and kids amidst challenging upbringings.
There’s a raw, humanistic quality to the trailer, which neither glorifies nor condescends these young mothers’ struggles.
The brothers have won the Palme d'Or twice, once for Rosetta (1999) and a second time for L'Enfant (2005).
Tidbits:
Netflix has been cranking out international series with Mad Unicorn, a Thai drama, the newest on the streamer’s slate. Award-winning director Nottapon Boonprakob (Come and See) created the series set against Bangkok’s dynamic commercial backdrop, seeking to deliver cultural authenticity above all else. The trailer for Mad Unicorn shows betrayal and fierce competition within the express delivery world. Premiering May 29th.
Picturehouse Entertainment (UK-Ireland distributor: Anatomy of a Fall, The Last Showgirl) has grabbed A24’s Sorry, Baby and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. No word on release date, but the latter is Rose Byrne’s best performance to date. And, if you can believe it, also Conan O’Brien’s.
ON THIS DAY
1941. Citizen Kane premieres at the Palace Theater in NYC.
See you tomorrow!
Written by Gabriel Miller, Spencer Carter, and Madelyn Menapace.
Editor: Gabriel Miller.
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