Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to Joel Coen’s gothic mystery “Jack of Spades,” with plans for a fall 2027 theatrical release ahead of its streaming debut.
Written by Eleanor Catton, Joel and Ethan Coen and Conor McPherson, and adapted from Frances Frederica Montrésor’s 1901 novel “The Alien: A Story of Middle Age,” the film is set in 1880s Scotland and described as a sinister tale of intrigue and betrayal unfolding in the atmospheric Highlands.
Olivier Award winner Patsy Ferran (“Darkest Hour,” “God’s Own Country”) stars alongside Golden Globe and Emmy winner Josh O’Connor (“The Crown,” “Wake Up Dead Man”), Golden Globe and Emmy winner Damian Lewis (“Homeland,” “Once Upon a Time in … Hollywood”) and Oscar nominee Lesley Manville (“Phantom Thread,” “Another Year”).
The deal caps a sales process that Variety first exclusively reported on back in August. As detailed, the film wrapped in Glasgow late last year and had screened for several prospective studios. Sources told Variety at the time that the initial cut ran nearly 150 minutes but showed immense promise, and that a tighter second version shown in the weeks prior appeared to have hit the sweet spot.
“Jack of Spades” marks Coen’s second solo directorial outing after “The Tragedy of Macbeth” and his second collaboration with the streamer following “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” the 2018 Western anthology that earned three Oscar nominations, including best adapted screenplay.
Coen produces with Robert Graf and Frances McDormand, his wife and frequent collaborator, who last produced with him on “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” Between them, the couple holds two best picture Oscars: Coen for “No Country for Old Men” and McDormand for “Nomadland,” one of her four Academy Awards. Steven Rales, who won the Oscar for live-action short for “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” produces for Indian Paintbrush, with Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin producing for Blueprint Pictures. Donald MacKinnon executive produces.
Behind the camera, Coen brings back two of his longtime creative artisans: Oscar-nominated cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel (“Inside Llewyn Davis”) and composer Carter Burwell (“Carol,” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”).
The theatrical window will position “Jack of Spades” as a likely awards season player for Netflix in 2028, which has leaned on auteur-driven prestige titles to compete in the Oscar race. A debut at a film festival is almost certain.
Joel and Ethan Coen are represented by UTA and attorney Pat Murphy. UTA brokered the sale.
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