Black Bear Boards Horror Title ‘White Elephant’ Starring Nick Jonas & Kathryn Newton — Cannes Market Exclusive
The film 'White Elephant' (Deadline.com/white-elephant) features an impressive ensemble, including Nick Jonas (Jumanji), Kathryn Newton (Ready or Not 2: Here I Come), KJ Apa (Riverdale), Alexandra Shipp (Barbie), Ashley Park (Emily in Paris), Justice Smith (Now You See Me: Now You Don’t), Josh Brener (Silicon Valley), and Madeleine Arthur (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy). Directed by Eli Craig, the movie follows eight friends competing for a prize during a cutthroat holiday gift exchange that spirals into a deadly game of carnage.
MRC (William Sherak, Paul Neinstein, James Vanderbilt) will finance the film under their venture RSPX, partnering with Radio Silence and Project X Entertainment to launch a horror-and-thriller-focused series. Black Bear represents international sales, while MRC handles domestic rights. The film’s success hinges on its ability to blend classic horror tropes with modern storytelling techniques, reflecting contemporary anxieties about social media and corporate influence.
From my perspective, 'White Elephant' exemplifies how genre films can evolve while maintaining core themes. The collaboration between Jonas and Newton showcases the power of diverse voices in shaping narratives. This project also highlights the growing trend of indie filmmakers seeking global distribution. Personally, I think this film sets a new standard for combining action-driven plots with emotional depth in the horror genre. What many people don't realize is how tightly-knit the cast and crew is—each member contributes uniquely to the story’s success.
