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‘Iron Man 3’ Writer Drew Pearce’s Directing Debut ‘Hotel Artemis’ Lands at Ink Factory

As seen in Variety

Published: 20 Jun 2016

Hot off the success of the limited series “The Night Manager,” London-based production company Ink Factory is teaming up with “Iron Man 3” scribe Drew Pearce on his directing debut.

Sources tell Variety that Ink Factory has closed a deal to finance and produce Pearce’s film “Hotel Artemis.”

Marc Platt and Adam Siegel join Ink Factory founders, Simon and Stephen Cornwell, as producers. Pearce, who is writing the film, will also exec produce through his new production company, Point of No Return.

The near-future thriller, set in its own distinctive crime universe, is drawing comparisons to “Ex Machina,” “Drive” and “Looper.”

Becky Sloviter, Ink Factory’s senior VP of production and development, will oversee production.

“Drew is one of the most talented screenwriters in town and has created yet another vibrant and captivating world, peopled with the most fantastic characters. We are thrilled to be supporting his directorial debut with this terrific project,” Stephen Cornwell said. “This is also another exciting opportunity for us to work with Marc Platt and Adam Siegel, two of the best producers in Hollywood.”

This would mark a reteam for Ink Factory and Platt, who most recently worked together on Ang Lee’s upcoming drama “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.” Platt also has “The Girl on the Train” opening this October.

With “The Night Manager” premiering strongly, the Ink Factory is now focused on building up its film slate, starting with “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” and continuing with projects like “A Most Wanted Man,” based on the novel by John le Carré. Upcoming projects for The Ink Factory include “Our Kind of Traitor,” to be released in the U.S. next month by Roadside Attractions, and “Message from the King,” starring Chadwick Boseman. “Abzû,” the first video game title from the Ink Factory’s Giant Squid Studios, will be released on PlayStation 4 on Aug. 2.

As for Pearce, he got his start in the U.K., where he created the comedy series “No Heroics” for ITV and was a development executive at Tiger Aspect. He went on to co-write “Iron Man 3” with Shane Black for Marvel, and also penned and directed the Marvel short film “All Hail the King.” Pearce most recently wrote “Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol” for Paramount and the comedy “Delinquents” for Fox, with Jason Segel co-writing and starring. He has been working on “The Wedding Sting” for Paramount and “Lego Billion Brick Race” for Warner Bros. this past year.