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EXCLUSIVE: Michael C. Hall (Dexter) and Grace Caroline Currey (Fall) have joined Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring), Tim Blake Nelson (Captain America: Brave New World) and Simon Rex (Red Rocket) in the true crime biopic feature The Leader, based on the 1997 mass suicide of the religious group known as Heaven’s Gate.
The project has secured an interim agreement with SAG-AFTRA.
Michael Gallagher (The Thinning) is directing from his original screenplay. Pic is produced by Cinemand Films (Funny Story) and Balcony 9 Productions (Bride Hard).
The Leader will chart the memorable true story of the thirty-nine members of the UFO cult known as “Heaven’s Gate” who committed the largest mass suicide to ever take place on American soil. The film tracks Nettles (Farmiga) and Applewhite (Nelson) as they develop the religion, build a devout following, and face unforeseen conflict when the spaceship fails to arrive.
Michael C. Hall will play a key devotee: a wealthy addict who attempts to win favor with Applewhite by financially supporting the cult with his trust fund. Grace Caroline Currey will play an Oregon-based boutique owner who drops out of society in the late 1970s— leaving her family and fiancé behind—to join the cult.
The Exchange introduced the project to buyers at the 2023 EFM and will continue sales at this week’s AFM.
Producers are Jana Gallagher, Michael Wormser, and Michael Gallagher of Cinemand Films, and Joel David Moore from Balcony 9 Productions. Rishi Bajaj and Daniel Taborga from Balcony 9 Productions will executive produce along with Cassian Elwes, Evan Silverberg and Entertainment 360. Lisa Essary serves as the casting director.
“I was moved by Michael Gallagher’s sincerity and care on handling such a heavy subject matter. I couldn’t shake the story after reading his script. I hope to bring as much heart and humanity as I possibly can to my piece in this project,” said Currey.
“Michael C. Hall and Grace Caroline Currey are cementing the commerciality of an already very anticipated and strong feature,” added Nat McCormick of The Exchange.
The Exchange’s AFM lineup also includes Brad Anderson’s Worldbreaker, Jennifer Esposito’s Fresh Kills, and Orlando Bloom’s The Cut.
Hall is represented by CAA, Authentic Talent and Literary Management and Peikoff Mahan Law Office and Currey by Innovative Artists, Mainstay Entertainment and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.
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