David Lowery’s ‘Mother Mary’, Mads Mikkelsen in ‘Dust Bunny’ among indies cleared to shoot

SAG-AFTRA on Tuesday published its first list of independent films which have signed an interim agreement allowing production to resume and it includes several titles from A24 and Lionsgate.

Among the 39-strong roster is A24’s Mother Mary, which sees David Lowery direct Anne Hathaway and Hunter Schafer in the tale of the relationship between a fictional musician and a fashion designer.

A24 also has the Paul Rudd and Jenny Ortega project Death Of A Unicorn scheduled to shoot in Hungary.

Lionsgate titles are the thriller Flight Risk, which sees Mel Gibson direct Mark Wahlberg, and JJ Perry action comedy The Killer’s Game starring Dave Bautista, Ben Kingsley, and Sofia Boutella. Lionsgate introduced both titles to Cannes buyers in May. 

Mads Mikkelsen stars in the drama Dust Bunny, which Sierra/Affinity brought to the AFM last year and follows an eight-year-old girl who enlists the help of her intriguing neighbour to kill the monster under her bed. Bryan Fuller directs from his screenplay for eOne – which is currently on the block with Lionsgate reported to be the leading bidder – and Thunder Road.

The list includes Black Bear and Heyday Films’ Matthew McConaughey crime thriller Rivals Of Amziah King, and Sean Bean in musical biopic The Yellow Tie about Romanian conductor Sergiu Celibidache. 

As previously reported Bride Hard, the Rebel Wilson action comedy directed by Simon West, has also received the go-ahead.

SAG-AFTRA said, ”The list includes productions which are signed to agreements within the scope of the strike order, but have signed interim agreements allowing them to resume. Members may work on these productions without being in violation of the strike order.”

To qualify for an interim agreement an independent production cannot involve studios, streamers, or any company represented by Alliance Of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

Producers must agree to the terms of the latest offer made by SAG-AFTRA during contract renewal talks, which will eventually be superceded by an actual deal when the parties reach agreement and the strike ends.

The full list appears below:  

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