Joe Penna & Ryan Morrison Sign Deal With Topic Studios

According to Deadline, Joe Penna and Ryan Morrison have signed a TV and movie first-look deal with Topic Studios. Their feature, "Arctic," was an official selection at last May's Cannes Film Festival . Topic, Penna, and Morrison recently collaborated on an anthology series.

"We have loved working with Joe and Ryan," said Lisa Leingang and Ryan Heller for Topic Studios. "They are a rare combination of world-builders, DIY filmmakers and first class storytellers. There's so much we want to do together."

Said Penna and Morrison: "We're BEYOND excited to be working so closely with Topic. They truly support their creative partners and tell the type of stories people need to hear. Topic is a studio with something to say and we're very much looking forward joining the conversation."

Arctic, which Penna directed and wrote with Morrison, opens Feb. 1 in North America. The film follows a man (Mads Mikkelsen) stranded in the Arctic, who is finally about to receive his long-awaited rescue. However, after a tragic accident, his opportunity is lost and he must then decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his camp or embark on a deadly trek through the unknown for potential salvation.

Penna and Morrison are also working on their second feature: Stowaway, a sci-fi thriller with Anna Kendrick and Toni Collette. The duo were previously awarded Academy's Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.

Topic is behind the documentary XY Chelsea, about the former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.

Read the original story on Deadline.

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