‘Naked Singularity,’ Thriller With John Boyega and Olivia Cooke, Sells to Screen Media (EXCLUSIVE)

Screen Media has nabbed all North American rights to “Naked Singularity,” a heist thriller with John Boyega and Olivia Cooke. The film marks the feature directing debut of Chase Palmer, best known for co-writing the screenplay for “It,” the 2017 horror blockbuster.

Bill Skarsgård, who played Pennywise in that film, co-stars in the movie along with Ed Skrein, Linda Lavin and Tim Blake Nelson.

Here’s the official logline: “‘Naked Singularity’ centers on Casi (John Boyega), a promising young NYC public defender whose idealism is beginning to crack under the daily injustices of the very justice system he’s trying to make right. Doubting all he has worked for and seeing signs of the universe collapsing all around him, he is pulled into a dangerous high-stakes drug heist by an unpredictable former client (Olivia Cooke) in an effort to beat the broken system at its own game.”

The screenplay was adapted by Palmer and David Matthews from the PEN-prize winning book, “A Naked Singularity,” which was written by public defender Sergio De La Pava. The film recently premiered in the opening night slot at the San Francisco Film Festival, where it won the audience award for Best Narrative Film. Screen Media will release the film theatrically in August.

“I can’t be more excited that we’ll be getting this film, anchored by John Boyega’s wonderful performance, in front of audiences this summer,” said Palmer. “Screen Media’s passion for ‘Naked Singularity’ was loud and clear from the start and I know we will be in good hands.”

“Naked Singularity” is produced by Tony Ganz, Kevin J. Walsh, Ryan Stowell, P. Jennifer Dana and Ross Jacobson, and executive produced by Ridley Scott, Dick Wolf, Sebastien Raybaud, Francois Callens, John Zois, Mark Roberts, Tony Pachella, Deborah Roth, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Anton is a co-financier of the film and represents the foreign sales rights.

“We are very excited that Screen Media will be bringing Naked Singularity to theaters,” said Cecile Gaget, president of international production and distribution at Anton. “For a long time, they have distributed unique titles, particularly over the last couple of years. We feel that Naked Singularity is right at home with the great team of Screen Media.”

The deal was negotiated by Seth Needle, SVP of global acquisitions and co-productions, on behalf of Screen Media with Endeavor Content representing the filmmakers.

“’Naked Singularity’ is the perfect movie for this moment,” said Screen Media in a statement. “We’re excited to bring this unique, thought-provoking legal thriller to audiences nationwide this summer.”

Screen Media has been active on the acquisitions front, nabbing the Megan Fox thriller “Till Death” and Jimmy Giannopolous’s mob crime drama “The Birthday Cake” starring Shiloh Fernandez. The company recently released “Willy’s Wonderland” with Nicolas Cage and the acclaimed military drama “The Outpost.”

Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts!