Survival Thriller ‘Suddenly’ Announces Jake Gyllenhaal & Vanessa Kirby as Leads

Oscar nominees Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler) and Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman) are set to lead the cast of upcoming survival thriller Suddenly, with esteemed screenwriter Thomas Bidegain writing and directing. Suddenly will mark the second directorial outing for Bidegain, who had the following to say about working with the leads, “…Jake and Vanessa are a dream pairing who elevates the film to an entirely new dimension.”

Suddenly is based on Isabelle Autissier’s French novel Sudan Seuls and follows a couple who become stranded on an island in the South Atlantic. The couple finds themselves in a fight for survival when their dream getaway becomes a nightmare. The story shines a light on the dynamic of the relationship of the couple while simultaneously holding a mirror to modern society.

Gyllenhaal will produce the project with Riva Marker through their production company, Nine Stories, alongside Alain Attal. Co-producers for the project are Artemis Productions and True North Productions.

Suddenly is the second time the Gyllenhaal-Bidegain pair will work together after previously co-writing 2018’s The Sisters Brothers. Gyllenhaal was last seen on the big screen as Spider-Man: Far From Home‘s villain Mysterio. Gyllenhaal’s other upcoming projects include thrillers The Guilty, directed by Antoine Fuqua, and Ambulance, directed by Michael Bay.

Kirby is recently in-demand and on a hot streak across the film industry that includes The Crown, three Mission Impossible movies, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and Venice Film Festival successes Pieces of a Woman and The World to Come. Kirby is set to reprise her role as White Widow in the next two Mission Impossible films.

Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh commented the studio is “thrilled to be working with such an incredible group of creative talent who have come together for Suddenly.” A shoot date has yet to be set for the film.