A Journalist Mutates in The Cell, a Creature Thriller Starring Joel Kinnaman; Sleeping Dogs Director Adam Cooper (Exclusive)
A journalist trapped in testing facility
Ryan learns that patients are isolated, drugged and subjected to experiments. As his body changes, he tries to escape and discovers evidence that the facility’s operators may be creating something worse than the disease they claim to treat.
Cooper directs planned 2027 shoot
Cooper will direct from a screenplay by Evan Turner, whose credits include Dear David, and Ben Zazove, who wrote Sherlock Gnomes. Principal photography is scheduled to start in February 2027.
The project brings Highland Film Group together with Cooper again after Sleeping Dogs, the Russell Crowe-led crime thriller. Cooper’s other screenwriting credits include Assassin’s Creed and Allegiant.
Sales and production team
Highland Film Group is launching worldwide sales at this week’s American Film Market in Los Angeles. The producers include Jason Tamasco, Zak Kristofek and Keith Danko for Traction; Greg Silverman and Grant Torre for Caravan Media Services; Leigh Collier; and Matthew Bierman.
Cooper praises Kinnaman’s role
Cooper said the lead role requires an actor present in nearly every frame and praised Kinnaman’s talent. He said he looked forward to sharing the story with audiences.
Executive producers include Alastair Burlingham, Gary Raskin, Bjorn Hovland, Michael Rifkin and Elizabeth A. Bell for Caravan, as well as Highland CEO Arianne Fraser and COO Delphine Perrier. Kinnaman’s credits include The Suicide Squad, RoboCop, For All Mankind and Altered Carbon.
Key points
- Joel Kinnaman stars as investigative journalist Ryan Weaver in The Cell.
- Adam Cooper directs from a screenplay by Evan Turner and Ben Zazove.
- Highland Film Group is launching worldwide sales at the American Film Market in Los Angeles.
- Principal photography is scheduled to begin in February 2027.