EXCLUSIVE: There is good news for Charlie Kaufman fans ahead of Cannes.
The Veterans, the L.A.-based sales outfit headed by Vincent Maraval and Kim Fox, has announced it has boarded sales on his long-awaited comedy drama Later The War.
The feature is set to shoot in Cyprus in 2027 with Channing Tatum, Tessa Thompson and Patsy Ferran leading the cast.
It is Kaufman’s fourth feature as a director after 2020 surrealist thriller I’m Thinking of Ending Things, and his 12th feature screenplay after award-winning and nominated classics including Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, for which he shared an Academy Award with Michel Gondry and Pierre Bismuth, as well as Adaptation. and Being John Malkovich.
Kaufman has adapted the script for his new film from the short story ‘Debby’s Dream House’ by author Iddo Gefen, which feature in his short story collection ‘Jerusalem Beach’. The original story follows a man who manufactures dreams and nightmares for others, including for his own wife.
In Kaufman’s version, Tatum plays Peekman, a wildly popular actor-director, famous for blockbuster physical comedies in which he stars with his wife Kiki (Thompson).
The more successful he becomes, the more he begins to suspect that deep down, he has nothing to say. In a bid for the artistic legitimacy that he craves, and as his marriage flounders, he attempts a serious Holocaust film, while Kiki moves on to create her own one-woman show.
When Peekman encounters Debora (Ferran), a poet who has no idea who he is, he finds himself desperate to win her approval. This does not go well.
The film weaves present day reality, films nested within films, and mind-bending dreamscapes to create a world in which Peekman and Kiki, having lost themselves to the pursuit of fame, may find their way back to reality.
Ken Kao and Josh Rosenbaum of Waypoint Entertainment (Project Hail Mary, I Love Boosters, The Favourite) are producing together with Sarah Green (The Bikeriders, Mud).
“It is a genuine privilege to work with the visionary Charlie Kaufman. Later The War balances humor, irreverence, and wit with the kind of thought-provoking truth-telling Charlie is known for, all of which we need, right now,” the producers said in a joint statement.
Tatum arrives on the project fresh from the critical success of Beth de Araújo’s Sundance Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic winner Josephine and Derek Cianfrance’s hit crime caper Roofman.
Thompson, who has also made name as a producer under the Viva Maude banner, was seen most recently in Nia DaCosta’s feature Hedda as well as Netflix psychological thriller mini series His & Hers, on which she is also an executive producer.
Ferran will soon be seen next in Joel Coen’s gothic thriller Jack of Spades opposite Josh O’Connor and Lesley Manville, with recent past credits including Mickey 17 and Jay Kelly.
The Veterans is handling international sales with CAA Media Finance looking after North America.
Kaufman is repped by CAA and Hansen Jacobson and Teller. Tatum is repped by CAA, Hansen Jacobson and Teller, and Relevant. Thompson is repped by CAA, Untitled, Jackoway Austen and Tyerman, and Shelter. Ferran is repped by UTA, Independent Talent Group, and Goodman, Genow and Schenkman.
The Veterans is also in Cannes this year with James Gray’s Paper Tiger in Competition Andy Garcia’s Diamond premiering Out of Competition and Reed van Dyk’s Atonement at Directors’ Fortnight. Upcoming titles include Jean-François Richet’s Mutiny, Takashi Miike’s next film starring Charli XCX and Milly Alcock and Empire City starring Gerard Butler among other titles
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings