Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder to Produce and Direct 'Checkmate' for A24

A24 has acquired the rights to 'Checkmate', a feature film based on Ben Mezrich's book proposal about the 2022 chess scandal between Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann. Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder are attached to produce and direct the film, respectively.

The book and film will examine the rivalry between Carlsen and Niemann, as well as the rise of the billion-dollar chess industry. A24 outbid several other studios and streamers, including Amazon, Netflix, and Warner Bros., to secure the project in a competitive bidding war.

The film will reunite Stone and Fielder, who previously collaborated on the Showtime series 'The Curse'. Stone will produce the film through her production company Fruit Tree, while Fielder is set to direct.

Mezrich's 12-page book proposal ignited the bidding war, with A24 ultimately securing the rights with a seven-figure offer that came with a 30-minute timer, which was quickly accepted. Mezrich is known for his dramatic non-fiction accounts of various industries, with his previous works being adapted into films like 'The Social Network' and 'Dumb Money'.

Why this matters: The acquisition of 'Checkmate' highlights the growing interest in the world of competitive chess and the scandals that have rocked the industry. The film's high-profile creative team and the intense bidding war among major studios emphasize the potential for this story to captivate audiences on a global scale.

The casting for the roles of Carlsen and Niemann has not been announced yet. The deal for the 'Checkmate' project was reportedly a seven-figure offer, highlighting A24's competitive stance in the industry. The acquisition is part of A24's recent push to scale up its production slate, following the success of films like 'The Social Network' and 'Dumb Money', which were also based on Mezrich's books.

Key Takeaways

• A24 acquires rights to 'Checkmate' film based on chess scandal
• Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder attached to produce and direct
• Film to examine rivalry between Grandmasters Carlsen and Niemann
• A24 outbid major studios in a competitive bidding war
• Deal highlights growing interest in competitive chess industry