Cannes: Amazon Nabs Joseph Gordon-Levitt Terrorist Drama '7500'

Directed by Oscar-nominated German helmer Patrick Vollrath, the film chronicles the hijacking of an airline.

In its second deal of the Cannes market, Amazon has acquired the Joseph Gordon-Levitt-led terrorist drama 7500.

Directed by German helmer Patrick Vollrath, who was nominated for an Oscar in 2016 for the live-action short Alles wird gut, the film chronicles the hijacking of an airline by terrorists. The title references squawk code 7500, which a pilot uses in the event of a hijacking; squawk code 7500 silently alerts air traffic controllers of the situation without tipping off the hijacker. Vollrath wrote the screenplay with Senad Halilbasic.

Paul Dano was originally attached to star, but ultimately left due to scheduling conflicts.

Glen Basner's FilmNation negotiated the deal on behalf alongside Endeavor Content. FilmNation already scored the biggest deal of the festival when Paramount acquired the Chris Hemsworth-Tiffany Haddish action-comedy Down Under Cover with a budget commitment of $40 million.

The film, which was produced by Jonas Katzenstein and Maximilian Leo, is currently in postproduction.

During the first half of the Cannes market, Amazon landed the buzzworthy French-language film Les Miserables. That pic, from writer-director Ladj Ly, screened in competition and drew solid reviews for its gritty, loose take on the Victor Hugo novel of the same name.