Elizabeth Banks Set To Star In RITA HAYWORTH WITH A HAND GRENADE

Three-time Emmy Award nominee Elizabeth Banks (THE HUNGER GAMES franchise, PITCH PERFECT 2) is set to star in the adventure drama RITA HAYWORTH WITH A HAND GRENADE to be directed by award-winning director Sloane U’Ren (DIMENSIONS), it was announced today by producer Robert Graf (upcoming HAIL, CAESAR!, Oscar-winning NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN).

Radiant Films International is representing foreign rights and is introducing the film to buyers at the American Film Market. UTA Independent Film Group is handling North American rights.

An accomplished art director and set designer, U’Ren is directing her sophomore feature film after having honed her skills working on studio blockbusters such as Warner Bros.’ BATMAN BEGINS and HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE.

Written by Antony Neely, principal photography will commence in spring 2016.

Set in World War II, Caroline Baker (Banks), one of the first female war photographers, is shot down and stranded on a South Pacific island, where the only other inhabitant is a marooned Japanese soldier.  As history passes them by, the two evolve from sworn enemies to reluctant allies in a 30-year battle against the forces of nature and their inescapable circumstances.

“I’m very excited to be working with Elizabeth, Mimi and everyone at Radiant and my dear friends Sloane and Ant on this beautiful story of shared humanity and its triumph over fear and isolation,” said Graf.

“I am delighted to be partnering with veteran producer, Robert Graf, who brings his years of experience working with The Coen Brothers to this project. This epic, heart-warming story of survival during war requires a compelling and dynamic actress to embrace the role of Caroline and Elizabeth fits the bill given her ability to transform herself so precisely in every role she takes on,” said Steinbauer.

Elizabeth Banks is currently receiving Oscar buzz for her critically acclaimed role in LOVE & MERCY opposite John Cusack and Paul Giamatti. She will next be seen as Effie Trinket in the highly anticipated final installment of THE HUNGER GAMES global box office franchise, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 set for release this November through Lionsgate.

She has also appeared in Universal’s hit PITCH PERFECT 2 which she also directed, and Warner Bros.’ MAGIC MIKE XXL with Channing Tatum. Banks has been nominated for three Emmy Awards for her guest roles on NBC’s “30 Rock” and ABC’s “Modern Family.”

Sloane U’Ren made her feature film debut with the sci-fi romance DIMENSIONS starring Henry Lloyd-Hughes which won a number of awards including Best Film at the London Independent Film Festival and the Long Island International Film Expo, where she also won the Best Director Award. Prior to directing, U’Ren’s credits as an art director and set designer include Universal’s THE GOOD SHEPHERD, Disney’s REMEMBER THE TITANS and BEING JOHN MALKOVICH.

Robert Graf is an executive producer on Universal Pictures’ upcoming HAIL, CAESAR! starring George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Scarlett Johansson and Ralph Fiennes due for release in February 2016. His other credits include executive producing the Oscar-winning NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS, TRUE GRIT, A SERIOUS MAN and BURN AFTER READING, all directed by The Coen Brothers. His other studio film credits include Universal Pictures’ PAUL with Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Seth Rogen and Fox Searchlight’s RUBY SPARKS with Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan.

Banks is represented by UTA, Untitled Entertainment and attorney P.J. Shapiro.