Paramount Pictures has successfully acquired the screenplay for the erotic thriller “Over Asking,” penned by Caroline Dries, known for her work on “Batwoman.” The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the studio secured the feature spec script after a highly competitive bidding war. The narrative of “Over Asking” delves into the chilling consequences that ensue following a chance encounter between a seemingly perfect couple and a powerful female attorney.
Karen Rosenfelt is set to produce the project, although a director has not yet been attached. Dries, who served as the showrunner for The CW’s “Batwoman,” has an impressive resume that includes executive producer roles on “The Vampire Diaries” and writing credits for “Smallville,” “Melrose Place,” “Arrow,” and “Gotham Knights.”
Rosenfelt brings her own notable experience to the table, having been an executive producer on the first “Twilight” movie and a producer on the subsequent films in the franchise. Her filmography also includes “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Marley & Me,” “Me Before You,” and “The New Mutants.” In television, she has served as an executive producer on series such as “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and “Dopesick.”
This acquisition marks a busy period for Paramount, which is also in the process of being acquired by a consortium led by Skydance. Additionally, the studio recently released the first trailer for its upcoming historical epic “Gladiator II,” directed by Ridley Scott and starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, and Joseph Quinn. The sequel to Scott’s Oscar-winning 2000 film “Gladiator,” which starred Russell Crowe, is set to hit theaters on November 22 and is anticipated to be a significant release for the studio this fall.
The news of the “Over Asking” script sale was first reported by Deadline.
In other industry news, Netflix and the Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground have secured a mid-six-figure spec deal for “Dyersville,” a fact-based crime thriller set in Chicago. Written by Will Hettinger, the script has attracted significant attention, with five buyers vying for it. Grant Singer is nearing a deal to direct the film, which is moving forward quickly. Higher Ground’s Vinnie Malhotra and Mark Wright will produce the project.
Hettinger has previously worked as a staff writer on Netflix’s “Painkiller” and Starz’s “Hunting Wives.” His script “The Final Score” made The Black List, but “Dyersville” marks his first feature sale. Higher Ground is coming off the success of “Leave the World Behind” and “Rustin.”
Singer, who made his feature debut with “Reptile,” a crime drama starring Benicio Del Toro that premiered on Netflix last fall, is known for his work in music videos with artists like Sam Smith, The Weeknd, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Travis Scott. Hettinger is represented by Kaplan/Perrone, CAA, and Ziffren, while Singer is represented by CAA and LBI Entertainment. Netflix has declined to comment on the deal.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline
