Tom Rothman’s TriStar Productions has acquired the worldwide rights and given the go ahead to Money Monster, a fast-paced, character-driven thriller written by Jamie Linden. Daniel Dubiecki, who worked with Clooney on Up in the Air, and Lara Alameddine developed the script along with Jodie Foster, who will direct the film. Dubiecki and Alameddine’s The Allegiance Theater will produce together with Clooney and his Smokehouse Pictures partner Grant Heslov. Alan DiFore and Jim Kouf wrote the original draft of the script. Principal photography is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2015.
Clooney stars as Lee Gates, a bombastic television stock huckster, whose program (the titular “Money Monster”), and life, are taken hostage by an outraged gunman. As much of the world watches live, Gates must keep himself alive and, with help from the woman who produces the show, uncover the truth behind a tangle of big money lies. Taught and tense, Money Monster unfolds in near real time.
Foster said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to start our ‘Money Monster’ adventure alongside such a talented and passionate team. Tom Rothman and TriStar really get the movie and are the best cheerleaders our filmmaking team could hope for.”
TriStar Productions Chairman Tom Rothman added: “It is impossible to resist saying that we at TriStar hit the talent jackpot today. We are deeply grateful to all the exceptional people involved. There is no one in the business whose talent, dedication and intelligence, I respect more than Jodie Foster. Dan and Lara are terrific producers who have nurtured that rarest of things: a commercial entertainment that is also smart as hell, timely and relevant. Grant and George likewise are Academy Award winning producers of the highest caliber. And, as the bonus coupon on this blue chip investment, we get to enjoy George Clooney in a tour de force acting part. I have no doubt that his collaboration with Jodie will produce an iconic and cool film.”
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
