Extinction

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www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/universal-nabs-sci-fi-thriller-extinction-starring-michael-pena-976591

Universal Nabs Sci-Fi Thriller 'Extinction' Starring Michael Pena (Exclusive)

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. Executive vp production Erik Baiers and creative executive Mika Pryce will oversee for Universal. 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 dated for release in April 2018.

Pena will next be seen in Chips with Dax Shepard. His recent credits include The Martian and Ant-Man. He is repped by CAA, Management 360 and attorney Rick Genow.

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variety.com/2017/film/news/lizzy-caplan-michael-pena-extinction-exclusive-1202001739/

Lizzy Caplan Joins Michael Pena in Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Extinction’ (EXCLUSIVE)

“Masters of Sex” star Lizzy Caplan will play opposite Michael Pena in Universal and Good Universe’s sci-fi thriller “Extinction.”

Sources tell Variety Caplan will play Pena’s wife in the film, which follows a man trying to save his family from an alien invasion.

Ben Young will direct. Eric Heisserer — who was most recently nominated for his script on “Arrival” — will write the screenplay with Spenser Cohen and Bradley Caleb Kane.

Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman of Mandeville, who backed the highly-anticipated live action “Beauty and the Beast,” will produce. Mandeville’s Alexander Young of will executive produce, alongside Nathan Kahane and Joe Drake of Good Universe. Anna Halberg, will serve as co-producer.

Exec VP of production Erik Baiers and creative executive Mika Pryce will oversee production for Universal. Erin Westerman will oversee on behalf of Good Universe.

Caplan most recently starred opposite Michael Sheen in Showtime’s critically-acclaimed drama series about the lives of the sex researchers William Masters and Virginia Johnson, “Masters of Sex.” Accolades for her performance, include an Emmy nomination and a Critics Choice Award nom for outstanding lead actress. She will next appear on the three-part BBC comedy series “Ill Behaviour.”

On the big screen she was most recently seen in “Allied” opposite Brad Pitt and also starred in “Now You See Me 2.” She is repped by WME and Independent Talent Group in the U.K., Rise Management and Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer Austen Mandelbaum Morris & Klein.

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www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/universal-pulls-sci-fi-extinction-release-schedule-1061356

Universal Pulls Sci-Fi Thriller 'Extinction' From Release Schedule

The film, starring Michael Pena and Lizzy Caplan, had been set to open on Jan. 26, 2018.
Universal has pulled Extinction, a sci-fi film starring Michael Pena and Lizzy Caplan, from its release schedule without explanation.

The film had been set to open on Jan. 26, 2018.

Extinction's logline describes it as a thriller in "which a man must save his family from an otherworldly phenomenon." The title was written by Eric Heisserer, Spenser Cohen and Bradley Caleb Kane. Despite the film previously set for release just two months from now, no promotional materials have yet been unveiled for the title.

The Ben Young-directed film was produced by Mandeville Films' Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman. Extinction is Young's second feature after this year's 1980s-set abduction drama Hounds of Love. That low-budget film premiered at this year's Venice Film Festival, where it received strong reviews.

Young spoke to The Hollywood Reporter in May, seven days into his shoot in Serbia for Extinction. "It's like nothing I'd ever read before," the director said at the time. "It's about a guy trying to redeem himself within his family in the midst of an alien invasion."

Other nationwide releases scheduled for Extinction's previous January date include Fox's sequel The Maze Runner: The Death Cure and Studio 8's Matthew McConaughey drug drama White Boy Rick.

Universal's upcoming films include Pitch Perfect 3 on Dec. 22, Insidious: The Last Key on Jan. 5 and Fifty Shades Freed on Feb. 9.

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deadline.com/2018/02/netflix-extinction-universal-acquisition-1202282346/

Netflix Acquires Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Extinction’ From Universal Pictures

Netflix has secured worldwide distribution rights to Extinction, bringing the Good Universe/ Mandeville Films sci-fi thriller back to life after Universal Pictures had pulled the pic from its initial January 26 release date.

Directed by Ben Young (Hounds Of Love), the pic stars Michael Peña as a man who has a recurring dream of losing his family. His nightmare turns into a reality when the planet is invaded by a force bent on brutality and destruction. Fighting for their lives, he comes to realize an unknown strength to keep his family safe from harm.

Lizzy Caplan, Mike Colter, Lilly Aspell, Emma Booth, Israel Broussard, Erica Tremblay and Lex Shrapnel co-star in the film, written by Spenser Cohen and Bradley Caleb Kane.

Mandeville’s Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman produced the film.

This deal comes after the streaming giant, back in January, nabbed the rights to Paramount’s, JJ Abrams-produced Cloverfield sequel, The Cloverfield Paradox, which was released following Super Bowl. Extinction will be available to stream later this year.

Variety was first to break the story.