Neon Acquires U.S. Rights to Jeff Nichols Horror Film 'King Snake' as Production Begins in Arkansas

Neon has acquired U.S. theatrical rights to 'King Snake,' a Southern Gothic horror film from writer-director Jeff Nichols, as principal photography begins this month in Arkansas.

The Details

The distributor picked up the project ahead of the Cannes Film Festival, where Neon is also promoting a large festival slate. FilmNation Entertainment fully financed the picture and is handling worldwide sales.

The film stars Margaret Qualley and Drew Starkey as a young couple who inherit an Arkansas farm. According to the official synopsis cited in trade reports, the pair face real-world problems and supernatural forces, battling physical and metaphysical demons while confronting the property's dark legacy. Michael Shannon also appears in the cast.

Nichols is producing 'King Snake' through his Tri-State Pictures banner alongside partners Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Sarah Green, in association with Range Media Partners. FilmNation's Stacey Snider and Glen Basner serve as executive producers.

Context

The acquisition reunites Neon with Nichols, whose previous films include 'Mud,' 'Loving,' and 'The Bikeriders.' The project also marks another collaboration between Nichols and Shannon, who previously worked together on 'Take Shelter' and 'Midnight Special,' films that trade coverage highlighted as part of the project's pedigree.

Neon has built a reputation for platforming acclaimed genre and prestige films, and the company plans a nationwide U.S. theatrical release for the picture. The timing of the announcement places it just ahead of the Cannes Film Festival.

What's Next

No release date has been announced. Production is underway in Arkansas, though the production-end timeline has not been disclosed.