A studio has taken on the North American and British rights to a film called Wet, made by a director whose earlier work has looked at tenderness and bruised lives with unusual honesty. The deal was struck on the strength of the people attached rather than any story, since the plot is still held back. Cameras are not expected in the Dominican Republic until 2027, so for now the film exists mostly as a promise and a gathering of talent, waiting for its shape to emerge.
Lionsgate Acquires North American and UK Rights to Alma Har'el's 'Wet,' Starring Connor Storrie and Rebecca Ferguson
A film that refuses to behave.
Mark
So what exactly did Lionsgate buy here?
Mimi
The distribution rights for North America and the UK to Wet, a film directed by Alma Har'el, who made Honey Boy and Lady in the Lake.
Mark
And what's it about?
Mimi
Nobody's saying. The logline is being kept under wraps.
Luke
That's worth pausing on. The reporting confirms the deal and the names attached. It doesn't tell us the story, the budget, or what Lionsgate paid.
Mark
The cast is a strange mix, though. Connor Storrie, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Rosalía.
Mimi
It is. Television, prestige films, a pop and Grammy-winning musician, all in one package. Fogelson called the script and package undeniable.
Luke
Keep in mind that's the buyer's own characterization. It's an enthusiastic statement, not a measure of anything yet.
Mark
Har'el said she wants a film that refuses to behave. Is that a hint?
Mimi
It's a tone, not a plot. She talked about finding humor in chaos and humanity in unpredictable situations.
Luke
Right, and the shoot isn't until 2027 in the Dominican Republic. Casting and plans can shift between now and then, so the lineup is what's attached today.
Il Polso
- Lionsgate has secured North American and UK rights to Wet, a project whose story remains completely hidden from the public.
- A large, varied ensemble led by Connor Storrie and Rebecca Ferguson, with Javier Bardem and Rosalía among the names attached, is drawing attention before a single frame is shot.
- Production is set to begin in the Dominican Republic in 2027, leaving a long stretch in which the film must be built piece by piece.
- Fifth Season and 193 are producing alongside director Alma Har'el, who frames the work as a response to a chaotic moment and wants a film that refuses to behave.
- The next signals to watch are the logline, further casting, and release plans, all of which the studio has yet to reveal.
A studio has taken on the North American and British rights to a film called Wet, made by a director whose earlier work has looked at tenderness and bruised lives with unusual honesty. The deal was struck on the strength of the people attached rather than any story, since the plot is still held back. Cameras are not expected in the Dominican Republic until 2027, so for now the film exists mostly as a promise and a gathering of talent, waiting for its shape to emerge.
Lionsgate has bought the distribution rights to Wet for North America and the United Kingdom, a film written and directed by Alma Har'el, whose previous work includes Honey Boy and Lady in the Lake. Fifth Season and 193, a Legendary Company, are making it, and the deal was announced through an exclusive in Deadline.
The cast is wide-ranging. Connor Storrie, who gained attention in Heated Rivalry, shares billing with Rebecca Ferguson, while Odessa A'zion, Lukas Haas, Javier Bardem, and the Spanish singer Rosalía round out the ensemble. The story itself stays under wraps, so the announcement rests on who is involved rather than on any plot.
Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, called the script and package undeniable and joked that the studio could not wait to get in the water, a nod to the title. Har'el, who founded Zusa Pictures, spoke of finding humor in chaos and humanity in unpredictable moments, and of wanting a film that refuses to behave.
Filming in the Dominican Republic is scheduled for 2027. Until the plot and further casting are revealed, the project remains a gathering of talent awaiting its story.
Lionsgate has bought the distribution rights to a film called Wet for North America and the United Kingdom, Deadline reported in an exclusive. The film comes from writer-director Alma Har'el, whose earlier work includes Honey Boy and Lady in the Lake, and it is being made by Fifth Season and 193, a Legendary Company.
The cast is large and mixed. Connor Storrie, known for Heated Rivalry, leads the billing alongside Rebecca Ferguson of Dune and Silo. Odessa A'zion, from Marty Supreme, is in the film, as is Lukas Haas, from Spider-Noir. Academy Award winner Javier Bardem is attached, and so is Rosalía, described as a Spanish Grammy winner.
What the film is about has not been disclosed. The logline is being kept under wraps, so the deal was announced on the strength of the people attached rather than a plot. Production is scheduled to begin in the Dominican Republic in 2027.
Har'el wrote the screenplay with Christian Stangeby. The producers are Fifth Season, 193, Har'el herself, Christopher Leggett, and Riva Marker for Linden Entertainment. Christopher Slager and Graham Taylor of Fifth Season will executive produce, as will Patrick Wachsberger and Ashley Stern for 193.
Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, called the script and package for Wet undeniable. He said the studio cannot wait to get in the water with the group, in front of and behind the camera, a nod to the film's title.
Har'el, who founded Zusa Pictures, framed the project in terms of the present. She said she has lately had to find humor in chaos and humanity in the most unpredictable situations. She thanked Lionsgate for embracing a film that speaks to this wild moment in time, and said she wants to make a film that refuses to behave.
The deal also has a lineup of people behind it. Scott O'Brien and MaryGrace Stephenson are overseeing the project for Lionsgate, and Jordan Backhus will oversee creative for Fifth Season. Christopher Davis and Lauren Bixby negotiated for the studio. WME Independent, 193, and BALA negotiated for the filmmakers.
With cameras more than a year away, the next things to watch are the plot, which remains undisclosed, and any further casting or release plans from Lionsgate.
Citazioni salienti
The script and package for Wet are undeniable.— Adam Fogelson, chair, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group
She wants to make a film that refuses to behave and speaks to this wild moment in time.— Alma Har'el, director (paraphrased)
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