EXCLUSIVE: Aggregate Films and August Night are producing the true crime pic Evil Genius with Patricia Arquette and David Harbour starring and Courteney Cox directing. Inspired by the acclaimed true-crime documentary series by Barbara Schroeder and Trey Borzillieri, the script was penned by WGA nominee Courtenay Miles
The film explores the true crime story of the infamous “pizza bomber” case —that delves into the more deeply human story of deception, desperation, and the line between victim and villain. Also joining the cast are Michael Chernus, Garrett Dillahunt, Danielle MacDonald, Tom McCarthy, Gregory Alan Williams, Ryan Eggold, Owen Teague, and Harlow Jane.
August Night will finance and produce the film with Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and John Buderwitz under their Aggregate Films banner. Cox also serves as a producer. Production is currently underway in New Jersey.
“I’ve been fascinated by Evil Genius since I first saw the documentary,” said Cox “It’s stranger than fiction. At moments darkly funny and yet deeply emotional. A story about love, loneliness, manipulation, and the people on the fringes who get pulled into something much bigger than themselves.”
Best known for her acting roles in Friends, Cougar Town and the Scream franchise, behind the camera, Cox has directed across various genres and mediums, from music videos, and short form projects to television and feature films. She made her directorial debut with the film Talhotblond, also based on a documentary by Barbara Schroeder. Beyond her work in film and television, Cox is the founder of Homecourt, an award-winning lifestyle brand recognized by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. She is represented by WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
Oscar and Emmy Award winner Arquette currently leads Hulu’s hit limited series Murdaugh: Death in the Family, and has earned multiple Emmy nominations for her work on Apple TV’s acclaimed series Severance. She starred and executive produced the series High Desert for Apple TV with Ben Stiller and Jay Roach. Arquette is represented by 3 Arts, Gersh, and Goodman Genow Schenkman.
Harbour won a Critics Choice Award and received nominations for a Golden Globe and two Emmys for his role in Netflix’s Stranger Things. He received a Tony Award nomination for his role in the Broadway revival of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. He recently wrapped production on Violent Night 2 for Universal, and next starts production with Pedro Pascal in Tony Gilroy’s, Behemoth! Harbour will next be seen starring opposite Jason Bateman in HBO’s DTF ST. Louis, which they both produced. Most recently, Harbour starred in Marvel’s Thunderbolts. Harbour is represented by WME and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.
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