Netflix Wins Record Short Story Auction ‘I Am Not Alone’, Misha Green To Write & Direct
Reports are in that Netflix is closing a high-six-figure deal to purchase ‘I Am Not Alone,’ a 22-page short story by Chris Hicks, and that Misha Green, creator of Lovecraft Country, will be directing the film. The story has been described as the ideal template for a major genre film, with mid-seven figures pledged to Green to write the script and direct as a star vehicle for Oscar winner Jessica Chastain.
The story centers around a mother of a young daughter whose life unravels when she suffers unbearable migraines that cause her to hallucinate as she begins to see creatures. It is the template for a grounded sci-fi story about a mother forced to defend her family against a threat only she can see.
Five bidders chased this one over 72 hours, and it came down to Netflix and Warner Bros. A big reason for the outcome is that Green wanted this to be with a streamer.
Genre Films’ Simon Kinberg and Audrey Chon, Bread & Circuses Entertainment’s Craig Flores, Scott Glassgold and Peter Katz are producing along with Chastain and her Freckle Pictures partner Kelly Carmichael, and Misha Green. Verve and Glassgold’s Ground Control handled the auction along with Peter Katz, CAA and Range Media Partners.
Said Kinberg, who has teamed with Chastain on three previous projects: “I’m a massive fan of Misha’s work, and been friends with Craig for years, so when I got sent this story and heard they were involved, I absolutely flipped out. Misha’s vision for it is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. And getting to work with Jessica again makes it even dreamer.”
Said Flores, who is producing Green’s directing debut Sunflower for Lionsgate: “Collaborating again with visionary writer-director Misha Green and her unique literary voice on this sci-fi horror franchise is an absolute dream. And combining two creative powerhouses like Misha and Simon Kinberg is more than any producer could ask for.”
Hicks is repped by Verve and Story Driven; Green by CAA and Range Media; Chastain is CAA and Mosaic. This deal is said to be the highest sum paid for short-story IP.
