Tim Blake Nelson’s ‘The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd,’ Starring Amanda Seyfried and Scoot McNairy, Boarded by WestEnd Films

WestEnd Films has boarded international sales on “The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd,” written, directed and produced by Tim Blake Nelson, starring Amanda Seyfried and Scoot McNairy. The film will have its world premiere in the Gala Presentations program at the 51st Toronto Intl. Film Festival, where WestEnd will launch international sales. Domestic rights are being co-represented by WME, V42 and D Squared Films. Inspired by true events, the film follows Karen (Seyfried), an English teacher trapped in an abusive marriage who takes a job at a maximum-security prison in Oklahoma where she forms an intense connection with Wilson Shedd (McNairy), a charismatic inmate and student in her class. Popular on Variety In addition to writing, directing and producing, Nelson also appears in the film alongside Wunmi Mosaku, Missi Pyle, William Jackson Harper, Elizabeth Marvel, Grant Harvey and Devyn A. Tyler. Seyfried received an Academy Award nomination for David Fincher’s “Mank” and won Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for her portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes in “The Dropout.” Her performance in “The Testament of Ann Lee,” alongside Nelson, earned her Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations. She also starred in “The Housemaid,” “First Reformed,” “Les Misérables” and the “Mamma Mia!” films. McNairy recently appeared in the Academy Award-nominated “A Complete Unknown.” His film credits include best picture winners “Argo” and “12 Years a Slave,” as well as “Killing Them Softly” and “C’mon C’mon.” His television work includes “Hulu’s Furious,” “Halt and Catch Fire,” “True Detective” and “Narcos: Mexico.” In addition to Nelson, the film is produced by Julie Buck, Ryan Bartecki, Miles David Romney and Billy Hines, with Christopher Hines, Gary Levinsohn, Molly C. Quinn, Matthew M. Welty and Elan Gale serving as executive producers. John Mock and Vanessa Stewart are co-producers. Nelson’s Red Barn Films, Co Created Media, V42 Fund, QWGmire and Story Mill Entertainment are the production companies. Maya Amsellem, managing director of WestEnd Films, said: “ ‘The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd’ is an extraordinary piece of filmmaking — morally complex, emotionally devastating and completely gripping. Tim has created a bold, deeply human film, anchored by two of the most powerful performances of Amanda and Scoot’s careers.” Nelson said: “I set out to make a film that resists easy answers and explores the things we, as humans, are capable of doing to one another. With its distinguished track record of championing bold, filmmaker-driven cinema and its formidable international expertise, WestEnd is an ideal partner for the film.”