The Oscar-nominated screenwriter will make his directorial debut in the yet unnamed live-action film that tells the tale of a woman investigating a mystery that took place during a week she cannot remember.
Award-winning studio LAIKA is expanding its live-action slate with an original film penned by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Jon Spaihts (Dune, Passengers, Doctor Strange), who makes his directorial debut with this sci-fi thriller. Matt Levin, LAIKA’s President, Live Action Film & Series, made the announcement.
The untitled film tells the tale of a woman investigating a mystery that took place during a week she cannot remember.
“LAIKA has long admired Jon's iconic work as a screenwriter,” said Levin. “He is one of the most imaginative and inventive storytellers working today, and we're honored to partner with him as he brings his unique vision and soul to the director's chair for the first time with a wholly original idea that is as thought-provoking as it is moving.”
Spaihts is well known for co-writing Denis Villeneuve's Dune (2021), for which he received an Oscar nomination, and its sequel Dune: Part Two (2024). Both films are based on the novel of the same name by Frank Herbert. Other screenplays written by Spaihts are Prometheus (2012), Passengers (2016), and Doctor Strange (2016).
“This is an original passion project I’ve been eager to turn to for a while,” said Spaihts, “And I couldn’t ask for better partners. LAIKA has a clear creative vision, and a tradition of meticulous, bespoke storytelling that suits this project very well.”
CAA, Circle Management + Production, and Goodman Genow Schenkman Smelkinson + Christopher, LLP represent Spaihts.
LAIKA recently announced the live-action film Crumble, written and directed by Brian Duffield and produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The 15th Anniversary re-release of its first animated film Coraline has amassed over $48M at the global box office since August 15.
Source: LAIKA
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
