EXCLUSIVE: Here’s a hot one. Scarlett JohanssonBlack Widow) and Chris Evans (Captain America) are set to star in a new trending movie package Project Artemiswe can reveal, with ozark star, director and executive producer Jason Bateman on board to direct.
That’s not all. Fresh off of his Best Picture Oscar for Coda, Apple has embarked on the in-demand package in a deal worth more than $100 million. The CAA entered into the agreement on behalf of the producers. This marks another massive purchase for the studio after a year that saw them pay over $200 million for the Matthew Vaughn package. Argyle and the untitled F1 race photo with Brad Pitt.
Plot details are being kept under wraps, but we hear the project is opposed to the space race. The screenplay comes from Rose Gilroy, daughter of writer-director Dan Gilroy and actress René Russo.
Two-time Oscar nominee Johansson will produce with Jonathan Lia and Keenan Flynn through their production company These Pictures, which commissioned and developed the script. Bateman will produce through his Aggregate Films banner.
Evans has since confirmed Deadline’s scoop on social media:
Very excited!!! https://t.co/duEzfPCsF3
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) March 31, 2022
Evans and Johansson were looking for projects to partner on after the end of their avengers days and got closer Phantom, another hot package Apple picked up. Johansson fell out after scheduling conflicts with Ana de Armas coming in. That movie is currently filming, but it all works out in the end as the two A-listers and old friends get a second chance to team up again.
Apple and Johansson are also teaming up on Bride, in which the actress stars in and produces for Oscar-winning director Sebastián Lelio. This project is currently in development.
Apple, which on Sunday became the first streamer to win the Best Picture award, is on a roll. Martin Scorsese titles are potentially released this year. Moonflower Slayer and starring Taron Egerton Tetris. The company made waves a few years ago with the massive contract for the Antoine Fuqua package Emancipationwhich could also debut in 2022 (though the Will Smith Oscar drama may delay things).
avengers, Marriage story and lost in translation star Johansson is stationed on Wes Anderson city of asteroids. Captain America, avengers and Knives out star Evans is in post on Pixar Light year and the Russos The gray man.
Led by Bateman and Michael Costigan, Aggregate’s slate includes FX A teacher; as well as the next FX limited series Under the banner of heaven; Florida Man for Netflix; Chemistry lessons for Apple; and the Netflix function Your place or mine. ozark launches its final seven episodes in April.
Johansson is represented by CAA and Yorn Levine. Evans is represented by CAA, 3Arts and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Bateman is represented by CAA, Lighthouse Management + Media and Hansen Jacobson. Gilroy is represented by UTA, Mosaic and attorney Howard Abramson.
Apple, CAA and representatives declined to comment.
