Nicolas Cage reteams with litigious Fortitude producer for cyber-thriller C.L.A.Y.
Simon Afram will write, direct, and produce C.L.A.Y., a "psychological cyber-thriller" that reunites Nicolas Cage with the cast of Afram's previous film, Fortitude.
When producers doubt their technological acumen, they often resort to creating movies that showcase their understanding of such concepts. Swiss billionaire producer Simon Afram finds himself entangled in a legal battle with Netflix over Fortitude, a WWII spy action-comedy starring Nicolas Cage, after an unencrypted hard drive containing the film was stolen from their offices in June.
The film's streaming future appears bleak, as it has not been released on any platform, and the $105 million lawsuit may deter potential streaming platforms from acquiring it. Consequently, Afram is exploring alternative avenues to recover from the setback by teaming up Fortitude's main cast for his directorial debut.
Deadline reports that Afram will not only direct but also write and produce C.L.A.Y., a psychological cyber-thriller. The film will feature Nicolas Cage alongside a talented ensemble of Michael Sheen, Jordi Mollà, Emilio Sakraya, and Adrian Topol. This marks Afram's second writing credit, following his collaboration with Simon West on Con Air, where West was likely occupied with his own projects.
The film's plot revolves around a brilliant but socially withdrawn computer prodigy who finds purpose and belonging when he joins an underground hacker collective known as C.L.A.Y. (Clowns Laughing At You). As the group's notorious exploits gain global attention, they start attracting the scrutiny of intelligence agencies, criminal syndicates, and rival hackers.
In an interview, Afram hinted at the deeper themes of identity, belonging, and the immense influence the digital world can exert on our real lives. He emphasized that 'C.L.A.Y.' is fundamentally a human story about individuals in search of purpose in a world where virtually anything is achievable behind a screen. The filmmaker aims to craft a film that captivates viewers, keeps them on the edge of their seats with its unpredictability, and leaves a lasting impact long after the credits roll.
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