Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In) is getting back into horror - as a producer this time - with a new film titled God’s Country. The project was revealed earlier this year but now, it’s come to light that Oscar-nominee Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm) has been tapped to lead the cast of the film, which is due to begin production early next year. All of the key players are now in place.
According to Deadline, the film is due to begin production in Romania in March of next year. Egor Abramenko (Sputnik) is in the director’s chair, marking his first American film. Bakalova, meanwhile, actually replaced Melissa Barrera (Scream, Bed Rest), who had originally been announced in the lead role. She had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts - perhaps regarding Scream VII - which paved the way for Bakalova to step in. As for what the film is about? The plot is described as follows:
“[Maria Bakalova] plays the role of a young woman who travels to Kentucky to meet her fiancé, subsequently uncovering something sinister beyond comprehension, as her American dream curdles into a nightmare of biblical proportions.”
Will Soodik (Westworld) penned the screenplay for the film. Reeves is producing through his company 6th & Idaho. Unfortunately, he’s a little too busy to direct the film personally, as he’s neck-deep in the DC Universe. Not only is he directing The Batman 2, but he’s also working on several spin-off shows, including one set in Arkham Asylum. But even if it’s only tangentially, having the guy who directed Cloverfield back in the world of horror is most welcome. Suraj Maraboyina, Cristi Bostanescu, Rafi Crohn, Ara Keshishian, Petr Jákl and Adam Kassan are also on board as producers.
For her part, Bakalova is very much a star on the rise. Since appearing in the Borat sequel, for which she secured an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, she has been very much in demand. This year, she appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Some of her other recent credits include Netflix’s The Bubble and the comedy The Honeymoon. Horror fans will likely recognize her from A24’s Bodies Bodies Bodies. But she’s also got several projects in the pipeline, including the DC series Creature Commandos and a few other movies that are already in post-production.
God’s Country does not currently have a release date.
