Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck will star in Robert Rodriguez’s mind-bending action thriller Hypnotic. Production is scheduled to start in April. This is the first green lit film under the Studio 8 and Solstice Studios strategic partnership.

Hypnotic is an action thriller directed by Robert Rodriguez (Alita: Battle Angel, Sin City) and written by Rodriguez and Max Borenstein (Godzilla franchise, Kong: Skull Island). The film follows a detective (Affleck) who becomes entangled in a mystery involving his missing daughter and a secret government program–while investigating a string of impossible high-end heists. Rodriguez, Studio 8 CEO Jeff Robinov and his colleagues Guy Danella & John Graham will produce the film with Solstice, which will spearhead US distribution and international sales beginning at the AFM this week.

“Working with Ben on his award-winning projects, including Argo and The Town, I have seen how his versatility and creativity has made him one of the most talented filmmakers both in front of and behind the camera,” said Robinov. “It’s very meaningful to be collaborating with Ben again on this uniquely riveting suspense thriller, and I know he and Robert will make a terrific film together.”

Affleck is a multiple award-winning actor, director, producer and screenwriter. He has won two Academy Awards as well as multiple Golden Globe, BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Awards. He’s best known for his work directing and starring in the Warner Bros. Best Picture Academy Award ® winner Argo and The Town in which he starred, directed and co-wrote. Previous leading roles include Justice League, The Accountant, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Gone Girl and State of Play. He directed Gone Baby Gone and starred in and co-wrote Good Will Hunting. Affleck is represented by William Morris Endeavor (WME).

ABOUT STUDIO 8

STUDIO 8 is a filmmaker-driven company focused on building longstanding relationships with filmmakers in order to develop, produce and acquire both potential tentpoles and prestige pictures. STUDIO 8 partners with filmmakers and talent to make possible their unique creative vision and deliver that vision to audiences globally. STUDIO 8 founder and CEO, Jeff Robinov, previously served as an executive at Warner Bros., climbing the ranks to serve as President of Warner Bros. Pictures Group.

ABOUT SOLSTICE STUDIOS

Solstice Studios is an independent movie company based in Los Angeles, founded in October 2018. The studio develops, fully finances, produces, sells internationally and distributes feature films in the U.S. on a wide-release basis.  Solstice plans to produce 3-5 movies per year for a global audience—generally in the $20-80M budget range.  It also plans to co-finance or acquire another 1-2 films per year for wide US distribution.  The company has a partnership with Ingenious Media.  Solstice recently completed production of its first feature film, Unhinged starring Russell Crowe and Caren Pistorius opening August 28, 2020.

The Solstice team has a $5 billion production track record and is expected to grow to 65 people. The company’s senior team includes President & CEO Mark Gill, Head of Production Lisa Ellzey, Co-Production Head Guy Botham, Marketing/Strategy Head Vincent Bruzzese, Acquisitions & International Head Crystal Bourbeau, Business & Legal Affairs Head Karen Barna, Chief Financial Officer Shaun Williams and Head of US Distribution Shari Hardison.