WASHINGTON — European film-TV group Studiocanal is teaming with Imperative Entertainment to make the psychological thriller “Cat Person,” based on the short story by Kristen Roupenian, which was published by “The New Yorker” in 2017. It went on to become its most downloaded fiction that year.
According to “Variety,” owned by Vivendi’s Canal Plus Group and traditionally one of the strongest sales operations at Cannes, Studiocanal will fully finance the feature, billed as describing the “hellscape” of modern romance. It will begin world sales at this week’s Virtual Cannes Market, with 30West co-representing United States rights.
“Cat Person” will be directed by The Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award-winning Susanna Fogel. Written by Michelle Ashford, the psychological thriller will star Emmy Award-nominated Nicholas Braun, whose credits include “Succession” and “Zola,” along with Emilia Jones, who has starred in “Locke and Key” and “Coda.”
World premiering at Sundance Film Festival this year, “Coda” has won four prizes, including the Audience Award and the United States Grand Jury Prize. It also secured a festival-record $25 million sales deal with Apple.
Roupenian’s short story turns on the casual but increasingly discomfiting relationship between Margot, a 20-year-old college student, and Robert, a 34 man who goes to the movie theater where Margot works.
“Using Kristen’s excruciatingly well-observed short story about the horrors of dating as the jumping-off point for an actual genre film, ‘Cat Person’ will explore the hellscape of modern romance and the idea that we have all been the villain in someone else’s story, and the victim in others,” Fogel said.
As per Variety, “Cat Person” will be produced by Imperative Entertainment’s Jeremy Steckler, in association with 30West, which arranged the financing for the feature.
Nicholas Braun will be seen in the upcoming comedy-drama film Zola, which is centered around a viral thread about a chaotic trip taken by two strippers to Florida, which causes their fall-out with each other.
The actor posted the news announcement on his Instagram handle and expressed his excitement for his upcoming project.
“I cannot wait for this 
,” the post said.
Braun’s fans were equally happy and supportive of the news of his new movie.
“I’m too excited for this, omg,” a user commented.
“Bro! I am so freaking proud of you! You are an amazing, talented dude. Knew it the first time you walked in the room! Love you, buddy!” said another.
Similarly, fans have been showering Emilia Jones with love and wish for “Cat Person.” The actress, too, posted the news of her latest bagged project, stating that she is excited about the film.
“Omg, this is so exciting. I love this story; you’re gonna killllll ittttt!!” one user wrote on her Instagram.
“Jones is coming off rave reviews…”, Damn right! Huge congrats,” another user commented.
Fogel is represented by United Talent Agency (UTA) and Margaret Riley at Lighthouse Management. Braun is repped by Brillstein Entertainment Partners, United Talent Agency (UTA), and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Jones is repped by International Creative Management (ICM) and Artists Rights Group (ARG Talent).
(With inputs from ANI)
(Edited by Anindita Ghosh and Nikita Nikhil)
