Tag: mute

Duncan Jones’ MUTE On Netflix February 23

Going to the local cinema to see the latest movie has almost become a thing of the past. Some of the population would prefer staying at home with their big screen TV, even if it means waiting a few months to watch a popular movie, instead of dealing with people talking through a film or on their cell phone.

More filmmakers are turning to other forms of distribution to release their movies, with their stories no longer made for just the big screen. Netflix has become one of those outlets and it’s being accomplished with successful results.

Director Dee Rees’ (Pariah) Oscar nominated MUDBOUND, Suicide Squad director David Ayer’s BRIGHT, and this week’s big surprise – J.J. Abrams CLOVERFIELD PARADOX, are a few examples of films finding an audience through the popular streaming format.

Now comes MUTE, the soulful sci-fi journey from filmmaker Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code, Warcraft). Streaming only on Netflix February 23, check out the trailer.

Berlin, the future, but close enough to feel familiar: In this loud, often brutal city, Leo (Alexander Skarsgård) – unable to speak from a childhood accident – searches for his missing girlfriend, the love of his life, his salvation, through dark streets, frenzied plazas, and the full spectrum of the cities shadow-dwellers.

As he seeks answers, Leo finds himself mixed up with Cactus Bill (Paul Rudd) and Duck (Justin Theroux), a pair of irreverent US army surgeons on a mission all their own.


The film imagines a world of strange currencies in which echoes of love and humanity are still worth listening to.

Mute is directed by Duncan Jones and written by Jones and Michael Robert Johnson. The film is produced by Stuart Fenegan. Charles J.D. Schissel and Trevor Beattie are executive producers.

Paul Rudd and Alexander Skarsgard To Star In Duncan Jones’ Sci-Fi Thriller MUTE

Getty Images
Getty Images

Paul Rudd (ANT-MAN) will be joined by Alexander Skarsgard (TARZAN, TRUE BLOOD) in the title role, for the sci-fi thriller MUTE, which will be directed by BAFTA-winning director Duncan Jones (WARCRAFT, SOURCE CODE, MOON).

MUTE is based on a script by Jones and Mike Johnson and will be produced by Stuart Fenegan under Jones and Fenegan’s Liberty Films banner. Lotus Entertainment has come on board to handle international sales starting at the upcoming AFM. CAA who arranged for the financing is handling the domestic sale.

Production is scheduled to start in March 2016. Lotus’ Bill Johnson, Jim Seibel, and Ara Keshishian will serve as executive producers.

Berlin. Forty years from today. A roiling city of immigrants, where East crashes against West in a science-fiction Casablanca. Leo Beiler (Skarsgard), a mute bartender has one reason and one reason only for living here, and she’s disappeared. But when Leo’s search takes him deeper into the city’s underbelly, an odd pair of American surgeons (led by Rudd) seem to be the only recurring clue, and Leo can’t tell if they can help, or who he should fear most.

Director Duncan Jones said:

“I’ve been working towards making MUTE for 12 years now. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that we’re finally going to shoot this utterly unique film. The fact that I get to make it with Alexander Skarsgard and Paul Rudd makes it all the more exciting! MUTE is a film that will last. It is unlike any other science fiction being made today.”

Lotus Entertainment’s Jim Seibel said: “We’re very excited to work with Duncan and Stuart. They are an immensely talented team that will surely deliver an exciting and cinematic film. Director Duncan Jones is a true visionary filmmaker and the real deal. It’s his caliber of talent that makes storytelling both visually exciting and captivating.”

Producer Stuart Fenegan said: “Bill, Jim and Ara share the same passion I do for building another vision of the future with Duncan. I look forward to going on this journey with them, and also reuniting with Sam Rockwell and composer Clint Mansell… can’t do sci-fi without Sam and Clint!”

President of Production Ara Keshishian negotiated the deal on behalf of Lotus.

Skarsgard recently wrapped production and David Yates’ TARZAN for Warner Bros. and is represented by CAA. Rudd completed CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR for Marvel Entertainment and Disney and is represented by UTA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Jones is represented by CAA.

Paul Rudd

Duncan Jones and Jake Gyllenhaal Finding the SOURCE Together

duncan jones jake gyllenhaal

Duncan Jones has his follow-up project to MOON already set, but it’s not going to be his original MUTE, as was previously believed.  According to Variety, Jones is set to direct the sci-fi thriller SOURCE CODE, and Jake Gyllenhaal is in negotiations to take on the lead role.  The screenplay,  initially  written by Ben Ripley, has been tossed about Hollywood for a few years now.  Universal was set to begin production on it in 2007 with Topher Grace in the lead role at the time.  STATE OF PLAY screenwriter Billy Ray has reportedly had a hand in the latest script’s rewrites.

The film centers on a young soldier who awakes with his consciousness inside a train commuter.  He must relive a bombing of the train over and over again until it is determined what happened and who is behind it.

As Jones’ own Twitter account says:

Mute still in the plans, just slightly delayed. It’s a hard sell.. whereas Source Code came with an offer hard to refuse.

While it is great to hear that Jones is moving quickly to his next project, I cannot wait to see what he has in store for MUTE.  Having been a part of speaking with him at SXSW and hearing his plans for the film, it sounds like a film ripe with potential.

Summit Entertainment is backing SOURCE CODE.  Production is set to begin in the early part of 2010.