Universal Acquires Michael Pena's Sci-Fi Movie

Universal Acquires Michael Pena’s Sci-Fi Movie

Published

10 years ago

February 17, 2017

Admin

Ben Young will direct the project about a man trying to save his family from an alien invasion.

In a competitive situation, Universal has acquired the distribution rights to sci-fi thriller Extinction, starring Michael Pena, from Good Universe and Mandeville Films.The project will be directed by Ben Young, whose debut feature Hounds of Love premiered at last year’s Venice Days and took home the best actress prize for Ashleigh Cummings.Pena will play a man who has a recurring nightmare of losing his family. When the planet is invaded by an alien force, the man discovers an unknown strength as he fights for his family’s survival.

Eric Heisserer (Arrival, Lights Out), Spenser Cohen (Moonfall) and Bradley Caleb Kane wrote the screenplay for the film, which is eyeing an April shoot.

Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman of Mandeville will produce (The Fighter, Warm Bodies). Mandeville’s Alexander Young will executive produce, alongside Nathan Kahane and Joe Drake of Good Universe (Don’t Breathe, Juno). Anna Halberg will serve as co-producer. Universal executive vp production Erik Baiers and creative executive Mika Pryce will oversee for the studio. Erin Westerman will oversee on behalf of Good Universe.

This is Universal’s second acquisition from Good Universe in recent months following The Pact, which the studio has slated for release in April 2018.

Pena will next be seen in CHiPs with Dax Shepard. His recent credits include The Martian and Ant-Man.