Angelina Jolie to Star in Dark Thriller ‘Sunny’ From ‘Tokyo Vice’ Director Eva Sørhaug
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A new, gritty thriller is taking shape with Angelina Jolie set to lead the cast of Sunny, a project directed by Eva Sørhaug and poised to deliver a compelling narrative of survival and familial protection. The film is being produced by a consortium of leading entertainment companies, including Gramercy Park Media, A Higher Standard, and Nickel City Pictures.
A Story Rooted in the Mafia Genre
Sunny draws inspiration from classic mafia films, centering on a female gangster’s desperate fight to shield her sons – and herself – from a violent and abusive drug kingpin. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when a critical incident forces her to devise a plan for their immediate and permanent escape.
Production Team and Creative Vision
The screenplay was penned by William Day Frank, building upon a story initially conceived with Sørhaug. Production is a collaborative effort, with Nathan Klingher of Gramercy Park Media joining Jolie, Mark Fasano of Nickel City Pictures, and Jeffrey Greenstein of A Higher Standard as producers, in association with Choice Films. A Higher Standard will oversee worldwide sales, with WME Independent co-repping domestic distribution.
According to one industry insider, Jolie’s performance is expected to be exceptional. “People are going to be shocked by what she brings with this riveting character,” they stated. “This violent world that Eva and Angelina have crafted is grounded in survival and family led by a mother doing anything and everything within her power to protect her two boys.”
Another producer added, “Angelina has made this role uniquely her own. Strong, character-driven thrillers like this are rare, and the attention to detail that she and Eva have brought to the film is impressive to watch.”
Jolie’s Expanding Film Slate
This project arrives as Jolie continues to build a diverse and compelling filmography. She recently earned Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award nominations for her portrayal of opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s Maria. Her upcoming projects include Alice Winocour’s Couture, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Marc Forster comedy Anxious People, and The Initiative, a spy thriller that reunites her with Mr. & Mrs. Smith director Doug Liman. Jolie is represented by WME and Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett & Kole.
Sørhaug’s Directorial Background
Eva Sørhaug brings a strong directorial background to Sunny. The Norwegian filmmaker’s psychological thriller 90 Minutes debuted at the 2017 Toronto Film Festival. More recently, she has directed episodes of television series including Ann Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order for AMC, as well as Tokyo Vice and Yellowjackets. Sørhaug is represented by WME, Industry Entertainment & Redefine Entertainment, and the Nord Group.
William Day Frank is represented by Sugar23 and Hansen Jacobson & Teller.
Sunny promises to be a gripping addition to the thriller genre, fueled by a powerful performance from Jolie and the vision of a rising directorial talent.
