According to The Wrap, MGM has successfully acquired the global rights to Zoë Kravitz’s feature directorial debut titled Pussy Island. In addition, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker actress Naomi Ackie has officially been tapped for the leading role as Frida in the upcoming genre thriller pic. She will join the previously announced male lead Channing Tatum (21 Jump Street), who is portraying the role of Slater King.
“I am honored to be partnering with an iconic studio such as MGM for this project. Their commitment to the art of storytelling is something that I truly admire and respect. Naomi Ackie is an extraordinary talent and we can’t wait to see her bring this role to life,” Kravitz said in a statement.
MGM’s Film Group chairman, Michael De Luca and MGM’s Film Group president, Pamela Abdy added, “We are incredibly excited to be part of Zoe’s directorial debut. This is a timely and insightful thriller, with a biting humor that we anticipate audiences will be utterly captivated by. Pussy Island is going to be an epic beginning to Zoe’s directing career.”
This marks Ackie’s latest major movie project as she has also previously been cast for the leading role as Whitney Houston in the upcoming biopic titled I Wanna Dance With Somebody, centered around the life of the late legendary singer. She was also recently seen in the third season of Master of None, starring opposite Lena Waithe.
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In Pussy Island, Frida is a young, clever, Los Angeles cocktail waitress who has her eyes set on the prize: philanthropist and tech mogul Slater King (Tatum). When she skillfully maneuvers her way into King’s inner circle and ultimately an intimate gathering on his private island, she is ready for a journey of a lifetime. Despite the epic setting, beautiful people, ever-flowing champagne, and late-night dance parties, Frida can sense that there’s more to this island than meets the eye. Something she can’t quite put her finger on. Something that is a bit terrifying.
The film will be directed by Zoe Kravitz from a screenplay she co-wrote with E.T. Feigenbaum (High Fidelity). Kravitz will next be seen as the new Catwoman/ Selina Kyle in Matt Reeves’ highly-anticipated The Batman, which wrapped its production in March.
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Pussy Island will be produced by Bruce Cohen, Kravitz, Tiffany Persons, and Tatum’s Free Association. FilmNation is handling international rights with CAA media Finance representing domestic rights in the Cannes Market. The film is a co-production between This Is Important, Free Association, and Bruce Cohen Productions.
