Cannes: SND Takes Noomi Rapace Sci-Fi Actioner ‘Monday?’

 ‘What Happened to Monday?’ helmed by Tommy Wirkola, director of 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters'

Adding genre gristle to this year’s Cannes market, Paris-based SND-M6 Group has taken France and world sales rights to sci-fi/action film “What Happened on Monday?”, starring Noomi Rapace and Glenn Close and helmed by Tommy Wirkola (“Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters”).

Produced by Philippe Rousselet’s Vendome Pictures (“Source Code”) and Raffaella Pictures, the shingle of Raffaella de Laurentiis, “What Happened…?” will initiate principal photography in Bucharest in July.

Fully financing “Monday?” SND’s Lionel Uzan and Charlotte Boucon will introduce the sci-fi actioner to buyers at the Cannes market. Set in a not-too-distant future, in “What Happened to Monday?” Rapace, who broke out with her portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in Stieg Larsson’s “Milennium” trilogy, plays seven identical sisters living in a one-child policy state, who ouwit its Child Allocation Bureau, by assuming one common identity – Karen Settman – when venturing outdoors. Named by their father after the days of the week, they take on individual identities in their own apartment until one day Monday doesn’t come home.

For bigger movie buyers, “What Happened To Monday?” adds needed high-concept genre impact to a Cannes market line-up which is so far high on more upscale projects often tageting amturer auds but has only a clutch of mainstream items with confirmed cast which have so far come onto the market.

Wirkola’s “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters” grossed $227 million worldwide. Rafaella de Laurentiis has produced across the globe working on films from “Conan the Barbarian” through to “The Last Legion” and “The Forbidden Kingdom.”

“The movie has a unique premise that offers the chance for one actor to play all seven characters,” Wirkola said. “Not only is that an insane technical challenge, but it is also a chance to do something new within the world of film, which is rare these days. Something fresh.”

Rousselet added: “Tommy Wirkola is the perfect choice to direct this high concept sci-fi action movie. He has both a blockbuster tradition and a European sensibility. We believe he is the best choice to make ‘What Happened to Monday?’ an exciting ride while grounding it with meaning and purpose.”

Vendome Pictures and Raffaella Productions” “have an amazing track record. We are thrilled to work with those two partners,” added Uzan, SND director of acquisitions and international sales.

VARIETY  John Hopewell International Correspondent@john_hopewell Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent@elsakeslassy May 6, 2015 | 02:51AM PT