ROBERT REDFORD AND ROONEY MARA TO MAKE ‘THE DISCOVERY’ IN R.I.
Academy-Award legend Robert Redford stars alongside multiple Oscar nominee, Rooney Mara (“Carol”, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) and critically-acclaimed, award-winner Jason Segel (“End of the Tour”, “The Muppets”) in “The Discovery”, a sci-fi love story set in a world where the existence of the afterlife is scientifically proven.
Charlie McDowell, who helmed “The One I Love”, will direct. McDowell and Justin Lader, who co-wrote “The One I Love” together, reunited to write “The Discovery”.
Mr. Redford plays the scientist responsible for this earth-shattering discovery, and Rooney Mara plays a woman, tinged by a tragic past, who falls in love with his rebellious son (Segel).
Principal photography is slated for March and April in Rhode Island.
Endgame Entertainment and Protagonist Pictures are co-financing. ICM Partners is handling domestic rights and WME is co-representing the film.
Alex Orlovsky of Verisimilitude is producing the film alongside James D. Stern of Endgame Entertainment. Julie Goldstein and Lucas Smith will oversee the project for Endgame, and Mike Goodridge, Dimitra Tsingou and Eddie Vaisman for Protagonist.
Rhode Island native Erika Hampson will also be co-producing. This will be the third film Ms. Hampson produces in the Ocean State. Her previous films were the Golden Globe nominated production “Infinitely Polar Bear” with Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana and most recently, “Measure of a Man” starring Donald Sutherland.
Redford returns to Rhode Island decades after his starring role in “The Great Gatsby” (1974), a film which went on to win two Academy Awards for Best Costume Design and Best Music. An inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers across the globe, Robert Redford created Sundance and its many educational programs, and he has won numerous awards including the Academy Award for Best Director (“Ordinary People”). The motion picture icon has also starred in such enduring classics as “Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid”, “All The President’s Men”, “The Sting”, “The Natural”, and “The Horse Whisperer”, among many others.
Rooney Mara can be seen in the 1950s love story Carol opposite Cate Blanchett, for which she won the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Supporting Actress by the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences.
Jason Segel is a prolific storyteller who has won awards for song-writing as well as acting. He has been recognized for his work on “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”, “Knocked Up”, “The Muppets” and the highly-acclaimed, “The End of the Tour”.
Governor Gina M. Raimondo stated, “With our unique locations in close proximity and an organized talent pool of local artists and professional technicians, Rhode Island is the perfect place to make a successful movie. I am pleased that many small businesses will be impacted by this film. This is the type of positive energy that keeps our economy moving forward.”
Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & TV Office, said, “Due to the leadership of Governor Raimondo and the General Assembly, and with the help of our many Ambassadors in the public and private sector, we are delighted to be able to host writer/director Charlie McDowell and his talented team of artists in our beautiful Ocean State. We look forward to helping Charlie secure his vision and supporting the dedicated crew of top-notch, professionals so they may maximize their potential for this extraordinary project, “The Discovery”. Moreover, we are excited to warmly welcome the esteemed film icon, Mr. Redford, back to Rhode Island after so many years. It will be honor for us to greet him once again.”
Co-Producer Erika Hampson said, “It’s a privilege to be back in my home state, making a movie with such a talented cast, director and group of producers. I look forward to working with Steve Feinberg on our third movie together and am especially excited to reunite with all the amazingly talented local crew members. I love making movies in Rhode Island and am so happy to be back!”
Randall Rosenbaum, Executive Director, Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, said, “Congratulations to the Rhode Island Film & Television Office on bringing another major motion picture production to our state. Film productions like this help to energize the Ocean State culturally and economically, and provide employment to a number of Rhode Island’s creative workers.”
House Speaker Nicholas Matiello commented, “I am excited to continue to promote the arts and filmmaking as a thriving industry in Rhode Island. Our state provides a beautiful backdrop for a variety of major motion pictures from comedies to love stories to suspense thrillers. Furthermore, this innovative industry has proven to be an economic catalyst for the talented artists and hard-working crew members, many of whom are based right here in Rhode Island. It also provides an introduction to first-time visitors who inevitably fall in love with our Ocean State.“
Senate President M. Teresa Paiva-Weed said, “The Senate is pleased to welcome another major production to our state. This project will provide direct jobs to the talented film industry professionals based in our state, indirect jobs to area small businesses, and tremendous exposure to the charm and diversity which make our state such an attractive setting to filmmakers and visitors alike. “
The Rhode Island Film & TV Office is a government agency under the umbrella of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA)
