Morgan Freeman, Josh Hutcherson take on sci-fi thriller ’57 Seconds’ – The Hollywood Reporter
Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and The Hunger Games Graduate Josh Hutcherson is collaborating on sci-fi action thriller 57 secondspremiered at Berlin’s Virtual European Film Market with Highland Film Group.
Directed by Rusty Cundieff (Tales From the Hood, Chappelle’s Show), the film was written by Macon Blair (of Netflix I don’t feel at home in this world anymorewon the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance) and is based on a story by British author EC Tubbs.
57 seconds follows tech blogger Franklin Fausti (Hutcherson), who has a career-defining interview with visionary tech expert Anton Burrell (Freeman). After thwarting an attack against the famous technician, Franklin picks up a mysterious ring that Burrell has dropped and quickly discovers the ring allows its owner to travel 57 seconds into the past. Driven by revenge and with Burrell’s support, Franklin uses the ring to destroy the pharmaceutical company responsible for his sister’s death. But he soon becomes entangled in a dangerous and brutal chain of events with more than his own destiny at stake.
A Curmudgeon Films and Revelations Entertainment Production, 57 seconds produced by Griff Furst (Where does all the light tend to go?), Lori McCreary (Invictus), Gary Lucchesi (Million dollar baby), and Thomas P. Vitale (Killer). The film is executive produced by Ford Corbett, Som Kohanzadeh, Yoram Kohanzadeh and Miguel Sandoval.
The film is co-sponsored by Highland Film Group, the company that represents the international rights to the film, and will open for sale at the upcoming European Film Market. CAA Media Finance is the representative of rights in the country. Principal photography on the time-bending thriller will begin in April at the Louisiana location.
“I am beyond thrilled to have the remarkable talents of Morgan Freeman and Josh Hutcherson available as contributors to our time travel thriller, 57 seconds” said Cundieff, who is known for his horror-comedy anthologies Tales from the Hood, Tales from the Hood 2 and Tales from the Hood 3along with the top mockery Sundance Fear of wearing a black hat. “Today we have tools at our fingertips that allow us to react to the events of the moment, shortening our time to think and weigh the consequences. 57 seconds examines how emotions affect people’s innate desire to get things done quickly through technology, be it guns, pills, or computers. I’m really looking forward to being on set with our talented cast and production team to create something special. ”
More Highland Film Group COO Delphine Perrier: “57 seconds is an exciting action thriller, with a relaxed, high-energy plot. We can’t wait to see the cameras roll this spring and see this amazing story come to life. ”
Cundieff is represented by Rich Freeman at Code Entertainment; Hutcherson is represented by Gersh, The Beddingfield Co, Viewpoint and Adam Kaller; Blair is represented by CAA, Anonymous Content and attorney Bradley Garrett; media representative for Stan Rosenfield’s Freeman and Revelations Entertainment, Rosenfield Media Group.
