Vertical Acquires Ron Howard’s Survival Thriller Eden
Vertical has acquired U.S. rights to Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard’s survival thriller Eden from Imagine Entertainment and AGC Studios. The film is set for a nationwide U.S. theatrical release this summer on August 22.
Set between the two World Wars, Eden unravels the shocking true story of a group of disillusioned Europeans who abandon civilization, convinced that society is corrupting humanity’s true nature.
Seeking paradise, they settle on a remote, uninhabited island in the Galapagos—only to discover that the greatest threat isn’t the brutal climate or deadly wildlife but each other. As tensions spiral and desperation takes hold, a twisted power struggle unfolds, leading to betrayal, violence, and the chilling, still-unsolved deaths of half the colony.
Eden stars Jude Law (The Order), Ana de Armas (Ballerina), Vanessa Kirby (The Fantastic Four: First Steps), Daniel Brühl (All Quiet on the Western Front), and Sydney Sweeney (Immaculate).
With its World Premiere at TIFF 2024, Eden‘s screenplay is written by Noah Pink (Tetris), based on a story by Pink and Howard, driven by Howard’s passion for this gripping, unsolved human mystery.
“Thanks to our partners at AGC Studios, Vertical, and our amazing team at Imagine Entertainment, I’m thrilled to be able to share Eden with audiences in the U.S.,” said Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard.
Howard added: “This story has been a passion project for me for years, rooted in the incredible true events of three wildly different groups of people who chose to leave modern society behind and recreate themselves on an uninhabited island in the Galapagos.
“The complexity of the characters and the collision of personalities that resulted are what drew me in, and I hope audiences connect with the profound themes of survival and human nature. It’s a story that feels so relevant today, and I’m excited for audiences to experience it on the big screen!”
“We’re delighted at Vertical’s passion for the film and at their belief in the theatrical experience. We hope that US cinema audiences are going to be surprised and delighted at this dazzling, edgy and ultimately shocking story that Ron, Imagine and this amazing cast have boldly brought to the big screen,” said AGC Studios Chairman & CEO Stuart Ford.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring Eden to U.S. audiences. Ron Howard, a legendary filmmaker, delivers a masterful vision at the peak of his craft,” said Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey. “It’s a thrill to reunite with our friends at AGC and Jude following last year’s The Order campaign, and we can’t wait to collaborate with the exceptional talents of Ana, Vanessa, Daniel, and Sydney.”
The film was produced by Ron Howard (p.g.a.), Brian Grazer (p.g.a.), Karen Lunder (p.g.a.), Stuart Ford, William M. Connor (p.g.a.), and Patrick Newall and executive produced by Miguel Palos, Zach Garrett, Craig McMahon, Noah Pink, Mathias Herndl, Namit Malhotra, David Taghioff, Masha Magonova, and Matt Murphie.
Additional below-the-line talent includes director of photography Mathias Herndl (The Twilight Zone, Genius), production designer Michelle McGahey (Blacklight), editor Matt Villa (Elvis), and costume designer Kerry Thompson (Boy Swallows Universe), with casting by Nikki Barrett (The Power of the Dog), and music by two-time Oscar-winner Hans Zimmer (Dune, The Lion King).
AGC and Library Pictures International are principal financiers, with additional financing by Medan Pictures, Copper Island Films, and Elevate Production Finance, and support from the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, the City of Gold Coast, and the Australian Federal Government’s Location Offset.
The deal was negotiated by Jarowey and SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi on behalf of Vertical, AGC EVP of Legal & Business Affairs Anant Tamirisa negotiated for AGC Studios, and CAA Media Finance.
