Exclusive : Vertical has acquired the U.S. rights to writer-director Jess Varley’s sci-fi thriller The Astronaut, which had its world premiere at the 2025 South by Southwest Film Festival.
The film, which stars Kate Mara ( Friendship ), Laurence Fishburne ( The Amateur ), Gabriel Luna ( The Last of Us ), Ivana Milicevic ( Sherlock and the Daughter ), and singer-actress Macy Gray ( Phobias ), is set for release later this fall.
The synopsis reads: “When astronaut Sam Walker (Mara) returns from her first space mission, she’s found miraculously alive in a punctured capsule floating deep off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. General William Harris (Fishburne) arranges for her to be placed under intense NASA surveillance in a high security house for rehabilitation and medical testing. However, when disturbing occurrences begin happening around the property, she fears that Something extraterrestrial has followed her back to Earth.”
PIC was produced by Hollywood vet Brad Fuller, known for the A Quiet Place and The Purge franchises. Cameron Fuller, Eric B. Fleishman, and Chris Abernathy also produced. Ian McAdoo, Stephen Brown, and Laurence Fishburne are executive producers. The feature took advantage of Ireland’s film tax breaks.
The Astronaut is Varley’s solo directorial debut after helming two segments for the 2021 horror anthology Phobia Territory
The deal was negotiated by Jarowey and SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi on behalf of the vertical and filmmakers from UTA’s Independent Film Group.
Varley stated, “I am eternally grateful for the dedication of Fuller and the Wonder Company to the film and for Over the Moon to partner with Vertical upon its release. Laurence and Kate gave us all a nostalgic roller coaster ride with heart hidden behind its fear. We are excited for the audience to join us on a journey of wonder where all is not what it seems.”
“Jess’ direction paired with my son Cameron and the Wonder Company production created something truly unique. Astronaut in the Field Vertically saw what we all felt – this is a special film from an exciting new team,” said producer Brad Fuller.
“Jess has crafted a claustrophobic, otherworldly sci-fi thriller anchored by fantastic performances from Kate and Laurence. We can’t wait for The Astronaut to keep us audiences on the edge of our seats until the final frame,” added Vertical Partner Peter Jaroway.
Additional talent below includes cinematographer Dave Garbett ( Evil Dead Rising ), production designer Alan Gilmore ( Spider’s Web ), editors Joel Griffen ( Shining Vale ) and Terrell Gibson ( Cuckoo ), and costume designer Joanna David ( Singing in My Sleep ), with casting by Lindsay Weissmueller ( Sacramento ) and music by Jacques Breautbar ( The Sting ).
Vertical has previously bought and released Fuller’s Elevation starring Anthony Mackie and a handful of Fleischman/Abernathy titles, most recently a road trip comedy set in Sacramento.
