Anna Dressed in Blood for Stephenie Meyer
Just when you think the young adult (read: brooding teen/hungry cougar) craze has run its course, another one creeps up on you. Maddie Hasson (Freeform’s “Twisted”) and Cameron Monaghan (Showtime’s “Shameless”) have been set to star in Anna Dressed in Blood, the adaptation of Kendare Blake’s YA novel that Twilight creator Stephenie Meyer acquired and developed via her Fickle Fish Films.
From the Press Release:
From the producer and creator of the blockbuster TWILIGHT film series comes a new feature film franchise, the young adult supernatural romance ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD. Fresh faces Maddie Hasson (ABC Family series ‘Twisted’, I SAW THE LIGHT) and Cameron Monaghan (Showtime Networks series “Shameless’, FOX series ‘Gotham’) have been cast in the new film from Fickle Fish Films producers Stephenie Meyer and Meghan Hibbett, it was announced today by The Solution Entertainment Group’s Lisa Wilson and Myles Nestel.
Nestel and Wilson are producing with Meyer and Hibbett and are financing the project. The Solution will introduce the film to buyers and handle international sales at the upcoming Marche du Film in Cannes. UTA Independent Film Group represents the US rights and packaged the project.
Meyer optioned the book Anna Dressed In Blood, the first book in a successful two-book series, from acclaimed author Kendare Blake and developed the project through her production company Fickle Fish Films.
Known for her strong visual style in massively popular viral music videos, including her ground-breaking work for the rock band OK Go, Grammy Award winner Trish Sie (STEP UP: ALL IN) will direct from a screenplay written by Allison Wood. The film is slated to begin principal photography this November.
Cas Lowood (Monaghan) has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead. So did his father, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly dagger, Cas travels America with his mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. They follow legends and local lore, destroy the angry dead, and keep pesky things like plans for the future and friends at bay. Searching for a ghost the locals call ‘Anna Dressed in Blood’, Cas finds a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. Since her death, Anna (Hasson) has killed each and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian house she used to call home, but yet there is something about Cas that compels her to spare his life. For reasons neither can explain, the two begin to realize that in their opposite, they may have finally found the one person who can help them unravel their complicated pasts, and survive their complicated present.
“Finding the right actors has been top priority,” said Sie. “It’s critical we achieve just the right tone and identify the magical combination of people that brings crackling electricity to these characters and their story.”
“We literally searched the world for over a year to find the perfect actors to bring this genre- spanning story to life. Cameron and Maddie, both so talented individually, together have that rare and extraordinary chemistry that lights up the screen,” said Meyer. “Trish Sie has the perfect background to visually translate Kendare Blake’s compelling story in a way that speaks to the modern viewer.”
“We are so excited with ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD. It’s incredible combination of suspense, terror, comedy and romance gives it a real edge above standard YA fare. That coupled with an intense chemistry from our leads is driving the enthusiasm we are already seeing from buyers for the film,” added Nestel.
The book Anna Dressed In Blood was on a variety of best-of lists including NPR’s Top 5 and the Kirkus Top Teen list. It generated hugely positive reviews and critical acclaim upon its debut. Author Kendare Blake has written several book series in the YA genre. Her new novel, Three Dark Crowns, will be released in September of this year.
Following the success of the TWILIGHT franchise, via Fickle Fish Films, Meyer and Hibbett also produced the 2013 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize nominated AUSTENLAND starring Kerry Russell, released by Sony, and Open Road Film’s THE HOST directed by Andrew Niccol based on a novel written by Meyer.
Dynamic actress Maddie Hasson recently starred in the hit ABC Family thriller series ‘Twisted’ for which she received two Teen Choice Award nominations for her role. Currently, Maddie can be seen in Sony Pictures Classic’s release of Marc Abraham’s I SAW THE LIGHT, about legendary country singer Hank Williams, alongside Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Olsen. Maddie most recently completed filming a starring role in NOVITIATE, opposite Academy Award winner Melissa Leo.
Critic’s Choice Award Nominee Cameron Monaghan is a series regular on Showtime Network’s Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy-nominated series ‘Shameless’ starring William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum, and plays a reoccurring role on FOX’s Primetime Emmy-nominated ‘Gotham’. He has appeared in Philip Noyce’s THE GIVER for The Weinstein Company starring Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep, and will be in the upcoming AMITYVILLE: THE AWAKENING with Bella Thorne and Jennifer Jason Leigh to be released by The Weinstein Company.
Synopsis:
Cas Lowood (Monaghan) has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead. So did his father, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly dagger, Cas travels America with his mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. They follow legends and local lore, destroy the angry dead, and keep pesky things like plans for the future and friends at bay.
Searching for a ghost the locals call “Anna Dressed in Blood,” Cas finds a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. Since her death, Anna (Hasson) has killed each and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian house she used to call home; yet, there is something about Cas that compels her to spare his life. For reasons neither can explain, the two begin to realize that in their opposite, they may have finally found the one person who can help them unravel their complicated pasts and survive their complicated present.
Categorized:News
