John Cusack is in advanced negotiations to star in Lucky McKee’s thriller “Misfortune,” it was announced Monday by Mimi Steinbauer, president/CEO of Radiant Films International.
Jared Butler and Lars Norberg wrote the script, which will find Cusack playing Miller, a quick-witted businessman who leaves everything behind, including his family, to start a new life after embezzling a client’s money. Everything had been going according to plan until he becomes separated from his cash in the middle of the wilderness. Three young friends happen upon the lost fortune, and a desperate and violent Miller will do anything to get his money back.
Lee Nelson and David Buelow of Envision Media Arts will produce the film, which Radiant will shop to foreign buyers in Cannes. EMA’s David Tish will serve as an executive producer.
“We are thrilled to be working with a talent such as John Cusack. He is perfect for the role of a white-collar businessman so consumed by greed he trails off the beaten path of morality. Cusack combined with Lucky’s knack for suspense, give the film all the ingredients it needs for a chilling thriller. The buyers already love it,” said Steinbauer.
McKee’s credits include the genre films “Red,” “The Woman,” “May” and “All Cheerleaders Die.”
Cusack recently played troubled Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson in “Love & Mercy” and co-starred in Spike Lee‘s “Chi-raq.”
Envision Media Arts produced “Celeste & Jesse Forever” and has the Eddie Murphy movie “Mr. Church” on the horizon.
Radiant Films International’s Cannes slate includes the Bel Powley film “Ashes in the Snow” and the YA thriller “The Changeover” starring Timothy Spall and Melanie Lynskey.