Jason Isaacs continues his post-The White Lotus brilliance, this time with a new lead role in the new thriller Silverback, co-starring Tom Vaughn-Lawler (The Avengers, Rialto).
The film marks the feature directorial debut of Irish writer and director Steve Kenny, and will begin global sales at the upcoming American Film Market in association with Bankside Films.
Set to begin filming in Dublin next spring, “Silverback” tells the story of a notorious criminal who moves in next door to his stay-at-home dad and must weigh the benefits of a new friendship against the deadly threat it poses to his family.
“Silverback is a story about the dynamics of male friendship, fatherhood, and our capacity for violence,” Kenney said. “Lead performances are at the heart of our stories, and in Tom & Jason we have two incredible actors who are perfectly suited to bring these fundamental concerns to life.”
Cory McCarthy is producing for Forty Foot Pictures with support from Screen Ireland. McCarthy and Forty Foot Pictures’ credits include “I Used To Be Famous” (which became Netflix’s fourth most-watched film worldwide in its first week of release) and the mockumentary “Fran The Man.” He is currently in post-production on The Last Days of Rabbit Haye, directed by Jim O’Hanlon, and the sci-fi thriller A Rare Breed, starring Iain Glen.
Executive producers are Paul Grindy (The Father, Rye Lane) of Viewfinder Films and Greg Martin of Screen Ireland.
“What would you do if a notorious but charismatic criminal moved in next door and seemed like he not only respected you, but wanted to be your best friend?” McCarthy said. “That’s the question Steve posed to me a few years ago, and it’s at the heart of his explosive debut film, Silverback. I’m really looking forward to watching Tom and Jason solve that challenge on screen.”
Stephen Kelliher of Bankside Films added: “Silverback immediately grabs audiences’ attention and keeps them guessing at every turn, as the relationship between a gentle family man and the charming but deadly criminal who moves in next door slowly begins to impact his life. We’re thrilled to bring this thrilling story to the screen with Steve and Cory, talents we’ve admired for years.”
Kenny has had great success with his previous short films. His graduate film, Coil, won awards at the Cork International Film Festival and the Kerry International Film Festival, and subsequently had its US premiere at the Palm Springs International Shortfest. His second short film, The Time Traveler, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival before being nominated for an Academy Award, was nominated for Best Live Action Short at the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards, and was acquired by Disney+.
Isaacs is repped by Independent Talent Group, Gersh, Strand Entertainment and CLD Communications. Vaughan-Lawler is represented by Lisa Richards, Curtis Brown and Gersh.
