Malcolm & Marie

Source: Property of Malcolm & Marie

Malcolm & Marie

In its third buy in three days at TIFF, Netflix has paid what is reported to be in the region of $30m on worldwide rights to the black and white romantic drama Malcolm & Marie starring Zendaya and John David Washington.

The acquisition comes after Endeavor Content and CAA showed buyers a 20-minute promo reel last week. According to reports a number of other distributors were pursuing the title.

The latest TIFF deal means thus far Netflix has paid approximately $60m in total on a promo (Malcolm & Marie), a work in progress ($19m on Halle Berry’s TIFF selection Bruised) and a completed film ($10m on TIFF and Venice selection Pieces Of A Woman starring Venice Coppa Volpi best actress winner Vanessa Kirby).

Sam Levinson (creator of HBO’s Euphoria) shot the union-compliant Malcolm & Marie on 35mm from June 17-July 2 at Feldman Architecture’s Caterpillar House in Carmel, California, under Covid-safe protocols.

Washington (Tenet) plays a filmmaker on the cusp of success with his latest movie who returns home from the premiere with his girlfriend (Zendaya, Dune, Spider-Man: Far From Home) as truths about the relationship bubble to the surface.

Kevin Turen and Ashley Levinson of Little Lamb Productions served as producers. Zendaya, Washington, Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer, Will Greenfield, Aaron L. Gilbert and Scott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi) are executive producers.

The cast and crew of Malcolm & Marie will share a portion of the proceeds of the sale with Feeding America.