Black Bear Acquires Film Rights to Taylor Jenkins Reid's 'Atmosphere'

Black Bear has acquired the global film rights to Taylor Jenkins Reid's newest bestselling novel, 'Atmosphere'. This significant deal marks another major literary work by Reid to be adapted for the screen.

The cinematic rendition of 'Atmosphere' is set to be written and helmed by the accomplished filmmaking duo Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, recognized for their work on 'Half Nelson' and 'Captain Marvel'. This project also involves Laika, a studio celebrated for its distinctive stop-motion animation, now expanding its reach into live-action productions. Black Bear will not only oversee the worldwide distribution of the feature film but will also contribute to its financing alongside Laika and manage international sales.

'Atmosphere' offers a captivating narrative of love and ambition, chronicling the journey of two groundbreaking female astronauts as they navigate the nascent stages of NASA's shuttle program in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The story centers on Joan, a brilliant young astronaut, and her fellow space pioneers. As their missions unfold, Joan forms an unbreakable bond with another astronaut, Vanessa, a relationship that profoundly alters their lives. Their courage is tested to its limits when a devastating catastrophe forces them into a desperate struggle for survival, pushing the boundaries of heroism, sacrifice, and affection.

The production team for 'Atmosphere' includes Travis Knight, Matt Levin, and Jeremy Kipp Walker from Laika, alongside directors Boden and Fleck. Taylor Jenkins Reid and Brad Mendelsohn will also serve as producers through their company, Circle M+P. Maryse Knight and Zac Locke are on board as executive producers. This venture further solidifies Laika's strategic shift into live-action cinema, complementing its esteemed animation catalog, which includes critically acclaimed films like 'Coraline'. Laika is also actively developing other live-action projects, such as Lulu Wang's 'Audition', starring Lucy Liu and Charles Melton, and is preparing for the release of its latest film, 'Wildwood', scheduled for October 23. Meanwhile, Black Bear, having recently distributed Matthew McConaughey's 'The Rivals of Amziah King', is gearing up for the release of 'Wicker', featuring Olivia Colman, also slated for October 23. This collaboration promises to bring a compelling and emotionally resonant story to audiences worldwide, celebrating human resilience and the pursuit of dreams against all odds.