Oscar-winning director Tom McCarthy, known for Spotlight, is moving forward with his latest feature drama, co-financed by Sony Pictures Classics. This new project features an ensemble cast including Golden Globe winner Evan Peters, Golden Globe nominee Paul Rudd, and Oscar nominees Amy Ryan and Paul Giamatti, alongside Emmy winners John Turturro and Tatiana Maslany. The film, described as a darkly comic drama, is set to begin filming next month.
Plot Set Against a 1980 Climate Conference in Florida
The film is based on Nathaniel Rich’s nonfiction work, Losing Earth. It dramatizes a pivotal weekend in 1980 at a beachside resort in Florida, where twenty scientists, activists, and policymakers convened to address rising concerns over CO2 emissions and climate change. The group carries a Congressional mandate to draft a clear statement on how to respond to this growing global threat.
“Set at a beachside resort in Florida in 1980, when twenty experts gather for a weekend conference on a global issue that is starting to gain traction: the effects of Co2 emissions on the climate. The group of scientists, activists, and policymakers have one simple mandate from Congress — write a statement about what to do. Easier said than done.”
– Nathaniel Rich, Author
A Collaborative Effort with Notable Industry Talent
Adapted by Thomas Bidegan, Noé Debré, and McCarthy himself, the film is dedicated to the late producer Steve Golin. High-profile executive producers include Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who are involved through Artists Equity. The production team also features Jonathan King and David Levine of Anonymous Content, Jim Whitaker and Rae Baron, and McCarthy’s Slow Pony banner.
Key department heads include Stuart Dryburgh, renowned for his work on The Piano, serving as director of photography; John Goldsmith as production designer; Melissa Toth overseeing costumes; and Jane Rizzo as editor. Casting is managed by Allison Estrin, known for her work on Billions. Other executive producers include Alex Gibney, Wendy Schmidt from Concordia, Laurene Powell Jobs, Davis Guggenheim, and representatives from Hammerstone Studios, Jigsaw Productions, and Aloe Entertainment.
Representation and Industry Connections Behind the Scenes
The primary cast members are represented by top agencies: Paul Rudd with UTA and Lighthouse Management & Media; Evan Peters through CAA, Untitled Entertainment, and Johnson Shapiro; Amy Ryan by Gersh and Untitled Entertainment; Paul Giamatti with UTA and Kipperman Management; John Turturro by UTA; Tatiana Maslany through UTA and Hansen Jacobson; and Jason Clarke is represented by Robert Stein Management and CAA, among others.
Significance and Anticipated Impact of the Film
Evan Peters new film, under Tom McCarthy’s direction, arrives at a critical moment when awareness of climate change issues continues to intensify globally. By focusing on a real historical conference, the movie illuminates the complexities policymakers and scientists face in addressing environmental crises. Given the strength of its cast and production team, the film is positioned to spark renewed dialogue around climate responsibility and political action. Sony Pictures Classics will oversee the domestic release, marking a significant addition to both Peters’ and McCarthy’s impressive filmographies.
