Four years ago, an enterprising high school English teacher captivated Reddit with a short story brimming with Gone Girl-esque twists and turns. Today, Joe Cote finds himself at the heart of a real-life narrative twist as captivating as his own penned tales.
The Massachusetts educator's project is now being molded into a feature film, with Sydney Sweeney set to shine both in front of and behind the camera, alongside Oscar-acclaimed screenwriter Eric Roth, who will lend his mastery to the screenplay.
In a fiercely competitive bid, Warner Bros. has secured the rights to this intriguing package, propelling Cote onto Hollywood's radar. His journey into representation began when Aaron Folbe of Underground Entertainment stumbled across his story and eagerly sought him out for a pivotal meeting.
Sweeney's involvement injected the project with a surge of energy, bringing Roth on board to elevate the narrative further.
Entitled "I Pretended to be a Missing Girl So I Could Rob Her Family," Cote's tale revolves around a young woman who reappears on a family's doorstep a decade after their 18-year-old daughter vanished. Her devious plan? To convince the family she is their long-lost child, staying just long enough for a moonlight heist and a swift escape.
While a director is yet to be attached, Roth is gearing up to pen the script that promises to captivate audiences.
Sweeney will not only star but also produce through her Fifty-Fifty Films, joined by Underground's Trevor Engelson and Folbe, Room 101's Steven Schneider, and Vertigo's Roy Lee and Mira Yoon. Cote will serve as an executive producer.
Sweeney stands tall among Hollywood's elite young actors, her star power and marketing prowess contributing to the surprise box office success of Anyone But You in 2023. She has also impressed with her roles in and production of Immaculate for Neon, as well as her Emmy-nominated performances in Euphoria and The White Lotus. Upcoming projects include Apple TV+'s Echo Valley alongside Julianne Moore and Paul Feig's The Housemaid, set for release in December by Lionsgate. She is represented by Paradigm and Hansen Jacobson.
Roth, a seasoned writer whose credits include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, A Star Is Born, Dune: Part One, and Killers of the Flower Moon, is represented by CAA, Lenore Entertainment Group, and Jackoway Austen.
Cote, whose literary treasure trove boasts other captivating stories, is represented by Underground and Yorn Levine.
