Jefery Levy launches production companyXMarksTheEarth, lines up first four films

Jefery Levy is launching a new Los Angeles-based production company, XMarksTheEarth.

Levy says that the outfit is fully funded to produce a slate of three films a year for the next five years, with budgets of about $3m per film.

The first film in the slate is Secret Lives, adapted from the Japenese novel by Junichiro Tanizaki. That will start pre-production in January.

The other films planned include Distance, with Billy Zane and Paz de la Huerta in talks; Crossroads to star Aidan Quinn, and Un(re)solved, which has Jeremy Piven in talks.

Levy said the company has developed more than 24 original screenplays in the past two years and is now working on adaptations of books by Jay McInerney, Katie Arnoldi, Robert Cheever, Agatha Christie, and Kate Braverman.

“Our intention is to produce films that leap out of this ultra-saturated marketplace and grab attention, through a combination of highly original and/or branded subject matter, known talent, and cutting-edge execution,” Levy said in a statement. “Also, we intend to make a number of films that can then be turned into television and web series, utilizing state-of-the-art digital technology, including virtual sets.”

The company’s TV projects include Sex Drugs and Rock n Roll, about A&R execs in the 1980s, which is made in partnership with Tumoltous Group for Starz. XMarksTheEarth is also working with Tumoltuous on feature Priority, about Priority Records founder Bryan Turner.

Horror films, including a reboot of the Levy-produced Ghoulies, are also in the mix.

Levy is a writer, director and properties who has worked on properties including Ghost Whisperer, Dark Angel, Rescue Me and Roar.