Eros STX Global Corporation announced today that STXfilms has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Black Bear Pictures and Anonymous Content’s psychological thriller The Marsh King’s Daughter, starring Daisy Ridley.
The film will be directed by Neil Burger (Limitless, The Illusionist, Voyagers) and is written by Elle Smith & Mark L. Smith (The Revenant, Midnight Sky), adapted from Karen Dionne’s best-selling novel of the same name (buy at Amazon).
Ridley, who will also star in STX’s upcoming The Ice Beneath Her, will star as Helena, a woman living a seemingly ordinary life, but hiding a dark secret: her father is the infamous “Marsh King,” the man who kept her and her mother captive in the wilderness for years.
After a lifetime of trying to escape her past, Helena is forced to face her demons when her father unexpectedly escapes from prison.
The Marsh King’s Daughter is produced by Black Bear Pictures’ Teddy Schwarzman (The Imitation Game, I Care a Lot), Anonymous Content’s Keith Redmon (The Revenant, Midnight Sky) and Mark L. Smith.
The executive producers are Black Bear’s Michael Heimler, Syndicate Entertainment’s Cliff Roberts, and Charles Miller. Black Bear will fully finance and principal photography is due to commence in Canada this June.
The acquisition reunites STXfilms and director Neil Burger after their success together on The Upside, which grossed over $100 million domestically.
STXinternational previously secured the international rights for The Marsh King’s Daughter, presented the title to international partners at the European Film Market, and will directly distribute the film in the UK, Ireland, and India. US rights were negotiated with Black Bear and CAA Media Finance.
“We’re thrilled to be reuniting with Neil after such a successful collaboration on The Upside and extending our relationship with Black Bear and our friends at Anonymous Content,” said Adam Fogelson, chairman, STXfilms Motion Picture Group.
“Like The New York Times said about the novel, this project is as good as a thriller can be. Daisy Ridley is perfect for this role and we can’t wait to share this film with audiences in the territories we have acquired.”
“We are honored to partner with STX on the US release of The Marsh King’s Daughter,” said Black Bear’s Schwarzman. “STX consistently provides audiences with high quality, event-driven and original films, and Neil and our team are thrilled to add this unique psychological thriller to STX’s already impressive lineup.”
The Marsh King’s Daughter is an international bestselling novel by author Karen Dionne and has been published in 25 languages.