Monday, 28 July 2025 Books+Publishing @booksandpublishing
Melbourne-based film company Princess Pictures is adapting Tanya Scott’s triller novel Stillwater (A&U) as a feature film, reports Variety.
Stillwater follows the story of a ‘doctor and medical educator turned writer with years of experience working in mental health care. The story revolves around Jack Quinn, whose mother died of an overdose when he was eight, and his father was an armed robber. After being groomed since childhood by Gus, a brutal crime boss who recruited him, Jack gets out and grows a new identity, becoming Luke Harris. But as he puts himself through university and aims for a real future, Luke is confronted with his past as Gus resurfaces,’ said Variety.
Having previously produced horror film Together with Dave Franco and Alison Brie, Princess Pictures is set to produce Stillwater with filmmaker David Michôd (Animal Kingdom), actor Joel Edgerton and producer Brad Zimmerman (The Outfit).
Scott said, ‘I’m genuinely excited that Stillwater is in such safe hands with Princess Pictures. It means a lot to have such a strong Australian team on board, bringing their experience and creative insights to the project.’
A&U publisher Cate Paterson said, ‘Animal Kingdom is one of my favourite Australian films. It is the perfect match as Tanya Scott brings the same compassionate nuance to her characters who also operate in a world of menacing violence.’
Stillwater will be released by A&U in Australia on 29 July 2025 and by Grove Atlantic publishing in the US on 12 August 2025. Scott is represented by UTA and Tom Gilliatt at A4 Literary.
Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions