Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller are set to star opposite Adam Driver in James Gray’s next film, “Paper Tiger.”
Gray wrote and is directing the film, which will start production next month in New Jersey. Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong were previously cast in the roles, but exited the project due to other commitments. The casting reunites Johansson and Driver after 2019’s “Marriage Story,” for which they both earned Academy Award nominations.
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“Paper Tiger” is described as a “tense and gritty” story, following two brothers as they try to achieve the American dream, only to become “entangled in a scheme that turns out to be too good to be true.” The film’s synopsis reads: “As they try to navigate their way through an ever-more dangerous world of corruption and violence, they find themselves and their family brutally terrorized by the Russian ‘Mafiya.’ Their bond begins to fray, and betrayal — once utterly unthinkable — now becomes all too possible.”
The film will be produced by Rodrigo Teixeira under his RT Features banner and Anthony Katagas for AK Productions alongside Raffaella Leone, Gary Farkas, Marco Perego, Carlo Salem and Andrea Bucko. Executive producers are Lee Broda, Jeff Rice, Riccardo Maddalosso and Emily Salveson.
Vincent Maraval and Kim Fox’s The Veterans is representing the international sales rights and CAA Media Finance is handling North American rights. Sales for the project will continue at the Cannes market. Sacker Entertainment Law is handling business affairs, production legal and finance legal for “Paper Tiger.”
Johansson, a two-time Academy Award nominee and BAFTA winner, heads to the Cannes Film Festival starring in Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme,” which will play in competition, and with her feature directorial debut film “Eleanor the Great,” which will premiere in Un Certain Regard. Johansson is also known for her roles in “Lost in Translation,” “Jojo Rabbit” and “Her,” as well as Marvel’s “Avengers” franchise. She’ll next star in “Jurassic World Rebirth,” which hits theaters later this summer.
Teller’s résumé includes blockbuster films like “Top Gun: Maverick” and awards darlings like “Whiplash” and “The Spectacular Now.” He recently starred in “The Gorge” for Apple TV+ and wrapped production on Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” and A24’s “Eternity,” in which he stars opposite Elizabeth Olsen and Callum Turner. Up next are Greg Kwedar’s fantastical comedy “Possum Song” and Paul Downs Colaizzo’s “Winter Games” for Paramount.
Johansson is represented by CAA and Bailey Brand Management. Teller is represented by CAA and attorney Chad Christopher. Deadline first reported the casting additions.
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