Legendary has come out on top of a bidding war for Homewreckers, the erotic thriller with a sci-fi twist that has Glen Powell attached to star and produce.
The package includes an unpublished three-chapter story by Neil M. Paik, who will also write the script.
The deal marks the last major acquisition of the year, occurring just a day or two before Hollywood closes its doors for the holidays. And it’s a doozy, right out of Santa’s workshop. According to sources, the deal involves a seven-figure outright purchase price for the rights to the story as well a seven-figure arrangement for Paik to write the screenplay. Paik would also act as a producer.
Legendary, known for its Godzilla x Kong movies as well as the Enola Holmes franchise, beat out Lionsgate, New Regency, Sony and Warner Bros. in chasing Homewreckers. The package hit the town last week, with bidding starting at mid-six figures and rising from there. It came down to Legendary and Lionsgate, per sources.
Details are being kept under the camisole, but sources say that the tones are Adrian Lyne, who made steamy thriller 9½ Weeks and Fatal Attraction, and Alex Garland, whose movies such as Ex Machina and Civil War tap into modern anxieties.
Paik has made it into habit turning his short stories into hot properties. Reawakening, published by Six by Eight Press, was set up at Amazon as a series with Lena Waithe exec producing, also after a competitive situation while another short story, Rainbowfish, was set up at Warners.
The deal is a merry Christmas present for Powell, who closes out a banner year with a reaffirmation of his new star power. It was almost exactly one year ago that he became a newly-minted star with Anyone But You, his comedy with Sydney Sweeney. The movie opened Dec. 22, 2023, and became a box office sensation. He followed that up with romantic comedy thriller Hit Man, which he also co-wrote and produced; the movie just earned him his first Golden Globe nomination.
Twisters, Universal’s well-regarded update on the 1990s tornado flick, followed in the summer, whipping up more than $370 million worldwide, including more than $267 million domestically. The actor was frequently cited as one of those who was leading a new class of Hollywood stars and a resurging theatrical experience.
Powell is repped by CAA and Johnson Shapiro. Paik is repped by Untitled Entertainment.
