Update 1:15 p.m.:Varietyadds thatMichael Kennedyco-wrote the script with director Christopher Landon, and that Kathryn Newton’s character will have less than 24 hours to remedy the body-swap situation before the change becomes permanent. Collider’s earlier exclusive is below.
Vince VaughnandBig Little LiesbreakoutKathryn Newtonare in talks star in an untitled Blumhouse movie fromHappy Death DaydirectorChristopher Landonthat sources describe as a body-swapping horror film in the vein ofFreaky Friday, Collider has exclusively learned.
Discussing Filmfirst reported on the top-secret project earlier this month, saying that “it will focus on a killer who wreaks havoc in a small town.” I imagine that Vaughn will be the killer and Newton will be his target, and somehow, they end up swapping bodies. Regardless of the specifics, it’s clear that Landon and Blumhouse are embarking on another high-concept genre movie that puts a fresh twist on a familiar concept, just asHappy Death Dayriffed on the comedy classicGroundhog Day.
Jason Blumwill produce the movie, which is expected to begin filming in October. I wouldn’t be surprised if Landon was also involved in a producing capacity, though that remains unclear, as Blumhouse did not respond to a request for comment.
Newton is coming off of theDetective Pikachumovie as well as two seasons of HBO’sBig Little Lies, in which she played the daughter ofReese WitherspoonandAdam Scott. Over the last two years, she has appeared in the Best Picture nomineesThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriandLady Bird, as well asBen Is Backand the hit comedyBlockers. She’s also the lead in the popular Netflix seriesThe Society.
Vaughn recently starred in the gritty indieDragged Across Concreteas well as the underdog wrestling movieFighting With My Family, and he was very good in both. He’ll soon be seen alongsideKristen Stewartin Amazon’s feature dramaSeberg, and as the heavy oppositeLiam Hemsworthin the indie thrillerArkansas.
Landon has a long history with Blumhouse, as he wrote the second, third and fourthParanormal Activitymovies before going on to write and directParanormal Activity: The Marked Ones, so he’s one of the chief architects of that lucrative franchise. He also wrote the 2007Shia LaBeoufhitDisturbiaand theEmma Roberts-Dave Francosocial media thrillerViralbefore directing the firstHappy Death Dayand its sequel, which he also wrote. Prior to those films, he directed the indieBurning Palmsand Paramount’sScouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse.
WME represents Vaughn, Newton and Landon, while Management 360 and Mosaic manage Newton and Landon, respectively. A representative for Newton did not respond to a request for comment.
