14-05-2025
Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Green & Maria Pedraza To Star In Thriller ‘Just Play Dead' — Cannes Market
Oscar-nominee Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction), Eva Green (Casino Royale), and Maria Pedraza (Money Heist) are set to star in the thriller Just Play Dead, we can reveal.
The film will be directed by Gary Fleder (Homefront) and is written by Dan Gordon (Rambo: Last Blood).
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The synopsis reads: 'When wealthy criminal mastermind Jack Wolfe (Samuel L. Jackson) is cornered by the Feds, he plans to fake his own death and claim the $30 million life insurance payout with his 'grieving' wife Nora (Eva Green), while framing her surfer lover Chad for his murder. But Nora is cooking up a scheme of her own: kill Jack for real, frame Chad and keep the fortune for herself. As lies unravel, Nora and Jack scramble to outsmart one another, leaving one burning question: who will come out on top in this twisted game of life and death?'
Pic is a European co-production spearheaded by Head Gear Films' Phil Hunt who produces alongside Gemstone Films' Valentin Dimitrov, Sagiv Diamant, Moshe Diamant and Gaby Whyte Hart, who also serves as the casting director. It is executive produced by Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier for Highland Film Group.
Highland Film Group is co-financing the film and handling international rights, with CAA Media Finance overseeing domestic rights at the Cannes market. Production is set to begin this fall in the Canary Islands.
'Working with such incredible talents as Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green is truly an honor. Eva Green will deliver a captivating performance as the cunning and seductive wife to Samuel L. Jackson's powerful kingpin in this intoxicating thriller,' said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser.
'Dan Gordon has crafted a complex tale of lies, deceit and betrayal and Gary Fleder is the ideal director to bring this enticing and suspenseful project to life, which is already attracting buyers worldwide,' added Highland Film Group COO Delphine Perrier.
'I've always been drawn to stories that defy categorization, that live somewhere between genres and challenge audiences to stay on their toes. With Just Play Dead, written by the immensely talented Dan Gordon, and starring Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green, I have the chance to return to that same rich, unpredictable territory. This film is provocative, sexy, and original—a perfect mix of clever storytelling and thrilling twists,' commented director Gary Fleder.
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