Multiplatform production company Tool of North America has jumped into the feature film space with North, a post-apocalyptic adventure starring Jacob Lofland (Mud, Maze Runner 2), Sophie Kennedy Clark (Philomena, Nymphomaniac) and Patrick Schwarzenegger (Scouts vs. Zombies, Stuck In Love). Directed by Emmy-nominated (ESPN’s Timeless and The Life) Matt Ogens (producer/director of the documentary Confessions of a Superhero)–who is currently represented by Humble for spots and branded content–North is currently shooting in Detroit. Chris Walla, founding member and former guitarist of Death Cab For Cutie, will score the film, his first. Kyle Lierman and Ogens teamed on the script. Tool’s Erich Joiner is executive producing. Humble is also exec producing the film as well as delivering visual effects.
North is a homegrown project for Tool, which participated in the development of the film, the securing of financing and is serving as one of the producers. North marks the debut feature film for Tool which has a body of work spanning award-winning live action, digital, integrated, experiential and VR creative for clients including Vice, Airbnb, Spotify, Microsoft, Land Rover, PlayStation, “The Hunger Games: Capitol Voices” for Lionsgate, and H&M’s spot featuring David Beckham, among many others. Tool is prominent in the VR space, having launched an Oculus experience for South Park, Converse, Intel and more. Recently, Tool partnered with Netflix to concept, execute and launch the Sense8 Brainwave Symphony, where they created an original piece of music based on people’s brainwaves. Tool’s work has received close to 400 prestigious awards including Cannes Lions, the Emmys, The One Show, SXSW, and AICP Show and Next Award honors.
Set in the near future after cataclysmic events, North is a coming-of-age story set against a post-apocalyptic backdrop and tells the story of two teenagers (Lofland, Kennedy Clark) who strike out on a dangerous journey into an unknown new world to find family and ultimately a hope for the future.
“We’re thrilled to be launching our first feature film with North, a story centered on teenagers who tackle mammoth challenges head-on. That zest-for-life spirit is at the core of everything we do at Tool, so this is the perfect story for us to tell as we move into the feature film space,” said Oliver Fuselier, Tool’s managing director/live action. “We’ve always strived to help our talent realize their creative vision, regardless of medium, and feature films is a natural addition to our ‘toolbox,’ which already contains content, digital, VR and more.”
Composer Walla said of North, “Matt’s story and vision are beautifully complex–so many shades of sorrow and joy, fear and hope, and everything in-between. It’s an honor to be tasked with the score. I can’t wait to see it, myself.”
Filmmaker Ogens has a long track record of collaboration with Tool which has built a roster of notable directorial talent, including Golden Globe-nominee Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace, Finding Neverland), Academy Award-winner Scott Hicks (Shine, The Boys Are Back), and motion artist GMUNK (Tron), as well as assorted leading interactive directors.
Lofland is represented by ICM and Management 360; Kennedy Clark is represented by Gersh; and Schwarzenegger is represented by Management 360.
