June Pictures and Nine Stories, in association with the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, has begun principal photography in Oklahoma on the feature film Wildlife. Paul Dano will bring Richard Ford’s American classic Wildlife to the screen, marking his directorial debut. Academy Award nominees Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan are starring in this period drama.
Wildlife, based on the 1990 Richard Ford novel, is co-written by Dano and Zoe Kazan and centers on the story of a teenage boy who witnesses the decay of his parents’ marriage after their move to Montana. The film is produced by Andrew Duncan and Alex Saks for June Pictures, and Gyllenhaal and Riva Marker for Nine Stories. Oren Moverman, Ann Ruark, and Dano will also produce, while Kazan and Eddie Vaisman are executive producing. WME Global handles the domestic rights to the film.
"In Richard's book, I saw myself and many others. I have always wanted to make films and have always known I would make films about family. I couldn't be happier to have such beautiful collaborators like Carey and Jake leading the way," said Dano.
“Paul is a natural born storyteller--a force. We are thrilled to collaborate with him and these phenomenal actors to bring his exquisite vision for this film to life,” said Duncan and Saks from June Pictures.
The film is utilizing the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program.
“The Oklahoma Film + Music Office is honored to set the scene for Mr. Dano’s directorial debut,” said OF+MO director Tava Maloy Sofsky. “It’s been a pleasure working with the film’s fantastic production team over the last few months, from their initial locations scout to the current start of production. We look forward to hosting this caliber of talent in Oklahoma, and look forward to the spotlight it will shine on our diverse locations, skilled crew and incentives program.”
Oklahoma Film + Music Office www.okfilmmusic.org