Brie Larson Horror ‘Skeletons’ From JJ Abrams Selling To Sony For $25M

EXCLUSIVE: In the biggest worldwide deal to emerge from this year’s European Film Market so far, Sony Pictures is on the verge of closing rights to hot genre package Skeletons, starring Oscar winner and Captain Marvel star Brie Larson.

We understand the WW deal is landing in the $25M range and Sony beat out multiple suitors that wanted domestic rights.

J.J. Abrams is producing, with FilmNation, WME and CAA handling the sale. Filming is being lined up for this summer.

JT Mollner (Strange Darling) is set to direct the creature feature, which is told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover that his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature. Casting for the son and father is in process.

Brian Duffield (No One Will Save You), who is in post as a director on Whalefall for 20th Century and Imagine, wrote the screenplay based on a short story by Philip Fracassi. Skeletons previously was known as Fail-Safe but recently changed titles. There was plenty of buzz for the project among buyers we spoke to at the EFM market, and it was considered one of the best pre-sale options.

Lost creator and Star Wars and Star Trek director Abrams said when we first announced the project at Cannes last year: “Brian Duffield has written an absolute powerhouse of a script. It’s a horror film that is as sweet and moving as it is terrifying. To have JT Mollner in the director’s chair — his Strange Darling blew me away — is a dream come true. Finally, having the limitlessly talented Brie Larson as our star sets the film up to be that rare horror film that makes you laugh, feel and care before taking you on an absolutely wild ride.”

The movie heralds from FilmNation Entertainment’s production label Infrared, Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, and Assemble Media. Drew Simon, Abrams and Jon Cohen, and Jack Heller are producers. Assemble’s Caitlin de Lisser-Ellen and Brian Duffield are executive-producing, as is Larson and Fracassi.

Negotiating the deal for Sony are Joe Matukewicz, President of Worldwide Acquisitions; Virginia Longmuir, EVP Business Affairs; and Elan Kovo, VP Business Development.

This marks FilmNation’s second major deal this year following their sale of Sundance pic The Invite to A24. That deal was pegged in the $10-12M range.