A24 made headlines in Hollywood on May 1 when they secured the rights for a feature package titled Checkmate, outbidding major players like Amazon, Warner Bros., Netflix, and Apple. The deal, reportedly in the seven figures, involved a 12-page book outline, translating to over $83,000 per page. Sources revealed that A24's offer, which included a 30-minute timer, swiftly clinched the deal, surprising industry insiders.
Checkmate, to be directed by Nathan Fielder, will depict the intense rivalry between chess grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann, with Emma Stone and Dave McCary producing under Fruit Tree. While Fielder's previous work with A24 on The Curse showcased his talent for unsettling dramedy, Checkmate's subject matter diverges from his usual themes of media and reality.
