Garrett Hedlund, Jake Lacy, Jessica Biel Lead Downriver

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Garrett Hedlund, Jake Lacy and Jessica Biel are heading to Montana. The three have signed on to star in Downriver , a new dramedy from Artists Equity Independent Pictures (AEIP) and Hungry Bull Productions, Deadline reported exclusively. The film marks the scripted feature debut of DGA Award nominee Sam Jones, who directs from a script he wrote with bestselling author Carl Hiaasen, a three-time Pulitzer Prize nominee. The story In Downriver , a recently divorced writer and his surgeon best friend head to Montana for a week of fly-fishing and martinis. Their friendship is put to the test when they meet a beguiling fishing guide, and the relaxing getaway begins to unravel "in ways neither of them saw coming", according to the logline published by Deadline. Deadline has not said which actor plays which role. The film is described as a dramedy, mixing comedy with the strains on a long friendship. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's indie label AEIP is the recently launched independent label of Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Luciana Damon and Gerry Cardinale's Artists Equity. It was set up to support up-and-coming talent. Downriver is the second project to come from the label, following Julia Cox's A Woman in the Sun . Who's behind it Director: Sam Jones (scripted feature debut) Writers: Sam Jones and Carl Hiaasen Producers: AEIP and Hungry Bull Productions, with Seth Caplan, Dori Rath, Joseph Restaino and Michael London of Groundswell Productions Executive producers: William P Foley II, Douglas K Ammerman, Castille Landon, William Crawford Shippey and Tony Stopperan Hungry Bull is an indie production and financing company founded by Joe Restaino and Tony Stopperan. Its credits include Michael Sarnoski's Pig and Rebecca Hall's Passing , Deadline notes. The cast Garrett Hedlund Hedlund was most recently seen in Paramount+'s crime drama Tulsa King , which returns for its fourth season this week. His upcoming slate includes Shana Feste's Netflix mystery thriller Heartland , out November 13; the Netflix series The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey ; and Prime Video's crime drama Criminal , which has not yet been dated. Jake Lacy Lacy currently stars opposite Emmy Rossum in Hulu's crime drama Furious , which has been renewed for a second season. He is in the cast of Alexandra Pechman's drama Magazine , fresh from its TIFF premiere, and will appear in a Stephen Merchant romantic comedy for Amazon MGM with Cameron Diaz, as well as the comedic thriller The Very Best People . Jessica Biel Biel recently signed to star in Playmates , the Searchlight film inspired by filmmaker Lorraine Nicholson's experiences growing up at the Playboy Mansion. She currently stars opposite John Cena in Matchbox: The Movie , which debuted on Apple TV on October 9. Why it stands out The pairing of Jones and Hiaasen is the most unusual part of the package. Hiaasen is best known as a novelist, and this is Jones's first scripted feature, so the film brings two new voices to movies under a label set up specifically to back new talent. It is the kind of mid-budget, adult-skewing comedy-drama that has become rarer at the big studios. The news lands as awards-season titles fill the calendar, including the films showcased at the 70th BFI London Film Festival . All three leads also have busy schedules on television and streaming, which may shape when Downriver can shoot. Deadline's report gives no budget or distribution details, and the film does not yet have a distributor attached in the coverage. Headliner's report repeats the same cast, creative team and producers. Montana fly-fishing gives the film a distinctive setting. What's next No production start, shooting location or release date has been announced. With financing and cast in place, the next updates are likely to be a start date and more casting, including the fishing guide at the centre of the story. We will add details as AEIP confirms them. Sources: Deadline | Headliner