A SAG-AFTRA approved roundup: A24’s Death of a Unicorn and Mother Mary are among the selected films granted permission to continue filming during the strikes.
@jennaortega
@jennaortega
Given the SAG-AFTRA strikes, this instalment of Screen Wonders looks a little different. Instead of sharing trailers for upcoming films, we’ve rounded up a selection of exciting upcoming projects that have been approved to continue filming. The full list features 39 independent productions, all without ties to AMPTP companies. When publishing the list, the actors’ guild wrote, “As of 07/18/2023, this list includes productions that are signed to agreements within the scope of the strike order, but have signed Interim Agreements allowing them to resume. Members may work on these productions without being in violation of the strike order.”
Scroll for a roundup of some exciting projects…
Death of a Unicorn
Upcoming A24 dark comedy Death of a Unicorn is rumoured to begin filming shortly. Written and directed by indie producer Alex Scharfman, it stars Paul Rudd as Elliot and Jenna Ortega as Ridley — a father-daughter duo who, while driving to a crisis management summit, accidentally crash into a unicorn. Taking it with them to scientists, they discover the creature has supernatural curative properties — and seek to exploit them. We’ll have to wait for more information, but we’re definitely really excited about this supernatural commentary on capitalism and, most of all, to see Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega’s performances.
Mother Mary
Another A24 film, Mother Mary tells the love story of a musician, played by Anne Hathaway, and a fashion designer, played by Michaela Coel. Directed by The Green Knight’s David Lowery, the fictional drama will also star Hunter Schafer as Hilda, Coel’s character’s assistant. Filming is set to take place in Germany.
Rivals of Amziah King
Starring Matthew McConaughey, The Rivals of Amziah King is an atmospheric, character-focused crime thriller that takes place in rural Oklahoma. It’s directed by Andrew Patterson of The Vast of Night and, although we don’t know much about the plot yet, we’re already excited about it.
The Killer’s Game
The Killer’s Game, based on Jay Bonansinga’s novel of the same name, tells the story of a veteran assassin Joe Flood — played by Dave Bautista. When Joe gets diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, he puts a hit out on himself, but later finds a new reason to live and tries to call off the kill. Written by Rand Ravich, Simon Kinberg, and James Coyne, this is one we can’t wait for!
Bride Hard
Rebel Wilson’s new project, Bride Hard, is an action comedy directed by Simon West and written by Shaina Stenberg. It follows Wilson’s character of Sara, a secret agent who takes on the difficult mission of being her childhood best friend’s Maid of Honor.
Beneath The Grass
A film that explores the failures of the criminal justice system from a fresh point of view, Beneath The Grass takes place in 2008 during the economic recession. Starring Mía Maestro, Quincy Isaiah, and Jeff Kober, it tells the story of a single Latina mother and her young son who befriends his new neighbours and subsequently puts his mother’s illegal marijuana business at risk.
