Hollywood Trade: First AFM Sale of 2023: Jack Quaid Stars In ‘Novocaine’ Debut Film From FilmNation
The debut picture for the FilmNation Entertainment production startup Infrared, The Boys stars The Boys Jack Quaid in Novocaine, a Lars Jacobson-scripted action thriller that will be directed by Dan Berk & Robert Olsen (Villains).
The project is introduced at the American Film Market, with FilmNation Entertainment handling global sales and co-repping U.S. rights with CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group.
Feature motion picture is financed by Infrared with a plan to begin production in early 2024, with a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement in place.
Lead Actor Quaid is coming off hits Scream and Oppenheimer.
Story for Novocaine, Quaid plays Nathan Caine. He was born with the rare disorder CIPA (Congenital Insensitivity to Pain), which means he does not feel physical pain. He grew up a sheltered child, learning to blend his food so he would not unwittingly chew off his own tongue, and he learned to wear a timer to remind himself when to go to the bathroom. But when his bank is robbed and his new love taken hostage, his affliction becomes his greatest strength as he sets out to rescue her. The protagonist feels like he’s got a bit of Bruce Willis from Unbreakable and a bit of Keanu Reeves from John Wick. The hope is to launch a franchise as Infrared gets off the ground, with a slate of pictures behind this one.
The feature film is produced by Infrared’s Drew Simon, Safehouse Pictures’ Joby Harold, Tory Tunnell and Matt Schwartz, and Circle of Confusion’s Josh Adler and Julian Rosenberg.
“Novocaine is a non-stop,
edge-of-the-seat action thriller loaded with all the heart, humor and kickass-ery you could ever want,”
the producers said in a statement.
“We couldn’t be more excited to get shooting next year with Dan and Bobby, who are true talents that we believe are the next big directors in the action space.”
The directors co-wrote and co-directed Significant Other for Paramount, with Maika Monroe and Jake Lacy starring. They helmed Villains after a breakout in the micro-budget feature debut Body, which was released by Oscilloscope.
“It’s hard to find unique access points in this genre, but this film and the unlikely hero at its heart captured our imagination right away,” the helmers said.
“Shepherding this project along with Infrared and Safehouse has been incredible, and working with the absolute perfect lead in Jack Quaid is honestly a dream come true.”
They are repped by UTA, Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment and Frankfurt Kumit. Safehouse is repped by CAA as is Circle of Confusion. Jacobson is repped by Paradigm.
