Emma Stone lands the A24 Magnus Carlsen project from Nathan Felder.

A24, acting on its new mandate to be aggressive in acquiring projects, just outbid Hollywood studios and streamers. Check matea hot feature package centered on a book proposal by Ben Mezrick, the author whose books were adapted into movies. Social Network And Dumb money.

If deals are closed, Check mate Emma Stone will reteam with Nathan Felder, who graced the duo’s recent editions The Hollywood Reporter magazine and the stars of the Showtime series. curse. Felder is attached to direct, while Stone will produce with her husband and collaborator Dave McCarey through the duo’s Fruit Tree banner. It also re-pairs the pair with A24, which is supported. curse. Sources say the book deal is closing or has closed while talent deals are still being finalized.

In true Mizric fashion, Check mate Sees the author dealing with an inner and real life story that is still evolving. According to a proposal that has been circulating, the book will shed light on the biggest scandal in chess history, focusing on the generational war between grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and young chess bad boy Hans Niemann. The latter was accused of cheating in one of the pair’s matches, which became one of the most consumed scandals in the world of chess and beyond. According to the package, the story is not just about rivalry and scandal, but the macro backdrop of the rise of a billion-dollar chess industry and the so-called “clash of tradition and innovation” in the game.

Sale of Check mate She apparently had an ancient queen’s gambit, with an approach that heard earlier speculation or package sales. The book proposal, all 12 pages of it, was attached to various talents and producers which were then sent to various studios and streamers, “territories” as it were.

Ron Howard was attached to direct. the wind Scribe Alex Connery headlined a package that went into Amazon, for example. Netflix and Apple had attached Welsh actor Taron Egerton to star. Harry Potter According to a source, producer David Heyman was included in a package that went to Warner Bros.

Offers were being fielded from streamers and a studio when A24 made an offer that guaranteed seven figures, and came with a 30-minute timer, according to sources. It was an offer that was immediately accepted.

“I’ve never seen A24 do this before,” said one insider, who said the deal left executives and agents reeling.

“I guess A24 is competing now,” said another source.

A24 has been a big fan of the film scene, making low-budget horror, drama and documentaries and attracting the best filmmakers. But the company announced plans to scale back in recent months, with its latest film, Civil WarAlex Garland’s thriller cost $55 million, a prototype of the scale of the film she wants to go up to. But it wasn’t easy – one project the company wanted to get was Danny Boyle’s return to the zombie genre, 28 years later, but it was bid out. A24 was determined to turn their energies to the next one if the right project suited their plans. Check mateindeed.

Mezrich is repped by CAA. Stone and Fruit Tree are repped by WME and Anonymous Content, which is managed by Mosaic. Felder is repped by UTA and Rise Management.