The first quarantine-made feature film, Malcolm & Marie, shot by Euphoria creator Sam Levinson with movie stars Zendaya and John David Washington during lockdown has been picked by giant movie streaming platform Netflix for enormous 30 million dollars giving it worldwide rights, reports say.
“I am so grateful to this cast and crew, many of whom are my Euphoria family, for coming together during such uncertain times. We felt privileged to be able to make this film together and we did so with a lot of love.
“We are all thrilled that it has ended up with Netflix which is unparalleled in allowing filmmakers the freedom to tell their stories that reach audiences all over the world,” Levinson, who also wrote and produced the film, said in a statement.
Deadline reports that Zendaya helped conceive of the movie. After she found out that the production for Euphoria season 2 was going to be delayed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, she approached Levinson and asked him if he could write and direct a movie during the quarantine period.
He then brought on board BlacKkKlansman star Washington to co-star alongside Zendaya in the movie that has been likened to Netflix’s acclaimed 2019 film Marriage Story.
Levinson, Zendaya, and other producers, including Levinson’s production partner and wife Ashley Levinson, paid for the film themselves.
Malcolm & Marie reportedly filmed on 35mm in black and white from June 17 to July 2 at the eco-friendly glass Caterpillar House in Carmel, California, with the cast and crew adhering to safety protocols.
Proceeds from the Netflix deal will be shared with Feeding America, a national charity that aids food banks.
