Sony, Icon join John Michael McDonagh's 'War On Everyone'

John Michael McDonagh’s follow-up to Calvary, War On Everyone, has rounded out cast and booked some key deals with the shoot now underway in New Mexico.

Divergent star Theo James is the latest young talent to join McDonagh’s black comedy, which has begun principal photography in Albuquerque.

Michael Peña (Fury), Alexander Skarsgård (True Blood) and James are starring in the story of two corrupt cops who set out to blackmail and frame every criminal unfortunate enough to cross their path…until they intimidate someone who is seemingly more dangerous than they are. Or is he?

Joining in supporting roles are Tessa Thompson (Dear White People), Caleb Landry Jones (X Men: First Class), Paul Reiser (Whiplash), Stephanie Sigman (Miss Bala) and David Wilmot (The Guard).

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and Icon are among distributors to have swooped on rights to the anticipated title sold by Bankside Films, with the former acquiring for Latin America, Benelux, Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and a handful of other international territories.

Icon Films will distribute in the UK while Icon Film Distribution is to handle in Australia/New Zealand.

McDonagh said: “It gives me great pleasure to declare War on Everyone with my fellow combatants, Michael Peña and Alexander Skarsgård. We look forward to the battles ahead, and we will go on with a spirit that fears nothing. That’s Homer, by the way.”

The action-comedy is McDonagh’s follow-up to acclaimed drama Calvary, starring Brendan Gleeson, and offbeat comedy The Guard, also starring Gleeson, with Don Cheadle.

The film is produced by Chris Clark (Calvary) and Flora Fernandez Marengo (Calvary) for Reprisal Films, in conjunction with Phil Hunt and Compton Ross for Head Gear Films with the support of the BFI Film Fund.

Behind-the-scenes talent on the film is led by cinematographer Bobby Bukowski (99 Homes), production designer Wynn Thomas (A Beautiful Mind), costume designer Terry Anderson (Jane Got a Gun) and casting by Sarah Finn (Guardians of the Galaxy).

Elizabeth Eves (Calvary) is co-producer and Alton Walpole (Crazy Heart) line produces.

Bankside is co-representing domestic rights with CAA and UTA jointly.