Oscar-winner Angelina Jolie and BAFTA-nominated director Marc Forster (A Man Called Otto, World War Z, Quantum of Solace) team up for Anxious People, based on the #1 Times bestselling novel by Fredrik Backman.
The day before Christmas Eve, investment banker Zara (Jolie) reluctantly mingles with a group of strangers at an open house. But when a hesitant bank robber unintentionally takes the group hostage, nothing goes as planned – chaos ensues, and secrets are overshared. Anxious People follows eight strangers in an uncanny situation with a robber who vanishes into thin air, and explores the power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope – the things that unite us in uncertain times.
“To have the phenomenal Angelina Jolie anchoring Anxious People is a testament both to the strength of Fredrik Backman’s storytelling, and the team we have assembled around this project including our wonderful partners from A Man Called Otto, including Marc, David and Renée,” said producer Fredrik Wikström Nicastro. “Fredrik’s novels speak to our shared humanity in a way that really moves audiences, and we’re proud to be able to deliver another heartwarming and hilarious adaptation of his work.”
Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author behind A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, Anxious People, The Winners, as well as two novellas and a nonfiction work. With his books being published in over 40 countries, his newest novel My Friends published in the U.S. on May 6.
“I’m incredibly proud and happy to be a small part of this extraordinary group of talent. Angelina Jolie is, of course, one of a kind. I can’t imagine leaving Zara in better hands,” added Fredrik Backman. “Fredrik Nicastro really had a vision for this story from day one, and to get to see it through the eyes of David Magee, Marc Forster and Renée Wolfe is an absolute dream scenario for Neda and me.”
David Magee (A Man Called Otto, Life of Pi, Finding Neverland) will write the script, with Hope Studios’ Wikström Nicastro and Renée Wolfe of 2DUX2 as producers and Marc Forster, David Magee, and Neda Backman executive producing. Owned by Forster and Wolfe, 2DUX2 will serve as a production company for the film while distributor Black Bear will introduce the film to buyers at this year’s Cannes Film Market.
