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Anton & Stigma Films announce cast and completion of production on high concept horror thriller “CURS>R” starring Asa Butterfield, Iola Evans, & Eddie Marsan and featuring Robert Englund. Anton to launch sales at the upcoming Cannes market this month.
Producer and financier Anton (“Greenland”, “His Dark Materials”, “The Night House”) has announced that its latest production, the feature film “CURS>R”, has recently wrapped principal photography in the U.K. A dark twist on the ‘80s gaming obsession, the horror thriller stars Asa Butterfield (“Sex Education”, “Greed”, “Hugo”), Iola Evans (“The 100”, “Carnival Row”), and Eddie Marsan (“Sherlock Holmes”, “The Gentleman”, “Happy Go Lucky”). The film also features horror maestro Robert Englund (the iconic Freddy Krueger in “A Nightmare On Elm Street”). Rounding out the cast is Angela Griffin (“The Hollow”, “White Lines”, “Harlots”), Kate Fleetwood (“Beirut”, “Deliverers”, “Star Wars: Episode VII”), Ryan Gage (“The Hobbit”, “The Musketeers”, “Endeavor”), and Joe Bolland (“The Trial Of Christine Keeler”).
Anton will oversee world sales and introduce the project to buyers at the upcoming Cannes virtual market later this month, in association with Endeavor Content who is co-representing the US.
In pursuit of an unclaimed $125,000 prize, a broke college dropout (Iola Evans) decides to play an obscure, 1980s survival computer game. But the game curses her, and she’s faced with dangerous choices and reality-warping challenges. After a series of unexpectedly terrifying moments, she realizes she’s no longer playing for the money, but for her life. The game locks her into an inescapable cycle of mind-bending horror. Stopping is not an option. It’s play or die!
Produced by Anton’s Sebastien Raybaud and John Zois alongside Stigma Films’ Matthew James Wilkinson (“Yesterday”, “Days Of The Bagnold Summer”, “Amulet”), “CURS>R” is directed by Toby Meakins (“Breathe”, “Floor 9.5”) and written by Simon Allen (“The Watch”, “Das Boot”, “The Musketeers”). Simon Allen, Liza Glucoft, and Nick Angel (“Yesterday”, “Days Of The Bagnold Summer”) are executive producers. Holly Hubsher is also overseeing the project on behalf of Anton. Shot on location in London, the film participated in the U.K. government Film & TV Production Restart Scheme.
Anton’s John Zois stated: “Toby is a visionary in the horror space with an innate genius for both original storytelling and the stark, eerie palates he creates on screen. Simon, Toby and Matt have worked to create something uniquely thrilling for horror fans.”
Stigma Films’ Matthew James Wilkinson added: “Incredibly excited to be working on such an original and terrifying concept as ‘CURS>R’ – taking modern horror and twisting it to pit our hero against 80s nostalgia! Simon, Toby and I have enjoyed working with Anton to bring this idea to the screen.”
Asa Butterfield made his on-screen debut at the age of eight in “After Thomas” (2006). In 2007, he featured in “Son Of Rambow” alongside Will Poulter. The following year, Asa starred in the film adaptation of John Bayne’s novel by the same name, “The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas”. His leading role as Bruno earned him critical acclaim and a nomination for the British Independent Film Award’s Most Promising Newcomer. In 2011, he starred in Martin Scorsese’s adventure film “Hugo” and in 2015, a leading role in James Graham’s, “A Brilliant Young Mind”.
Asa’s further film and TV credits include: “Greed” (2019), “Slaughterhouse Rulez” (2018), “Time Freak” (2018), “Then Came You” (2018), “Journey’s End” (2017), “The Space Between Us” (2017), “Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children” (2016), “Ender’s Game” (2013), “The Wolfman” (2010), “Nanny McPhee Returns” (2010), and “Merlin” (2008). Asa is arguably best known globally for his leading role as Otis Milburn in the Netflix worldwide phenomenon “Sex Education”, set to return for a third season later this year.
Asa is represented by Jane Epstein at Independent Talent Group and Andrea Weintraub and Tracy Brennan at CAA.
Iola Evans trained at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and had her debut in the European premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins “An Octoroon” at the Orange Tree Theatre, transferring to London’s National Theatre to critical acclaim. Evans recently portrayed Ryma in Amazon Prime’s “Carnival Row”. She has guest starred in top TV shows including ITV’s “Vera” and the CW’s “The 100”. Iola has recently completed UK horror “The Origin”, the feature film directing debut by Andrew Cumming and produced by Oliver Kassman.
Evans is represented by Insight Management & Production and Circle of Confusion.
Eddie Marsan is one of the most acclaimed and versatile actors working today. He is the recipient of two BIFA Awards for his roles in Mike Leigh’s features “Vera Drake” and in “Happy Go Lucky”. His roles range from independent films including “Tyrannosaur”, “Still Life”, “World’s End”, and “White Boy Rick” to blockbuster features such as the “Sherlock Holmes” franchise, “Gangs Of New York”, “V For Vendetta”, “Mission Impossible 3”, “Deadpool“, and “Atomic Blonde“.
His multiple television credits include the award-winning BBC television adaptations “Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell”, “Little Dorrit”, “Red Riding”, “Southcliffe”. and a starring role in Showtime’s TV series “Ray Donovan”. Marsan recently starred in Adam McKay’s “Vice”, Guy Ritchie’s “The Gentleman”, and “Hobbs and Shaw“. Upcoming projects include the four-part BBC thriller “Ridley Road”, “The Pact”, “The Power”, and Guy Ritchie’s “Wrath Of Man“.
Marsan is represented by Alex Irwin with Markham Frogatt & Irwin and UTA.
About Stigma Films
Stigma has produced nine features to-date, including contained thriller, “Kaleidoscope”, starring Toby Jones and Anne Reid; Simon Bird’s feature debut, “Days Of The Bagnold Summer”, starring Monica Dolan, Earl Cave, and Rob Brydon; actress Romola Garai’s feature debut, “Amulet” which premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2020, and Gerard Johnson’s black comedy/thriller, “Muscle”, which played at London Film Festival and Tallinn Black Nights, winning lead actor Cavan Clerkin a Best Actor Award.
Matthew also produced, “Yesterday”, for Working Title Films. The film was written by Richard Curtis, directed by Danny Boyle and released worldwide by Universal.
Stigma recently completed the BFI-backed ghost story-horror, “The Power”, with writer/director Corinna Faith, which sold to Shudder for a UK/US release in April. They are currently in post-production on heist musical, “The Score”, starring Johnny Flynn, BAFTA-winner Naomi Ackie and BAFTA Rising Star Will Poulter.
About Anton
Anton is a global content provider synonymous with quality commercially successful entertainment across multiple platforms. Its projects range from global kids and family fare such as “Paddington” and “Shaun The Sheep”, the upcoming “Fireheart” animated feature, and “Around The World In 80 Days” to genre franchises such as “His Dark Materials”, “Greenland”, “McMafia”, “The Night House”, “CURS>R”, and “Mothers’ Instinct”; as well as director-driven titles such as “Fire” (Claire Denis), “Gentleman Jack” (Sally Wainwright), and “The Pursuit Of Love” (Emily Mortimer).
With offices in London, Los Angeles, and Paris, the Anton team partners with leading creators worldwide to produce shows that marry creativity with commercial prowess. Its hallmark is high-quality storytelling.