David Lynch is executive producing a psychological thriller called Hyena, which will start filming in the first quarter of 2027. The project will be shot in Spokane, Washington, and features Sally Shipka in the lead role.
The Mulholland Drive link between Scott Coffey and David Lynch
The creative DNA of Hyena is rooted in a long-standing professional bond between director Scott Coffey and David Lynch. According to the report, Coffey previously appeared as the character Wilkins in Lynch's seminal film Mulholland Drive, a collaboration that evolved into a mentorship. This relationship provided the foundation for Lynch to serve as an executive producer and mentor during the early development of the thriller.
This pattern of mentorship is a hallmark of David Lynch's influence on independent cinema, where he often lends his "creative authority" to projects that mirror his own interest in the surreal and the subcosncious. By backing Scott Coffey and co-writer Blair Mastbaum, Lynch is effectively extending his aesthetic reach into a new generation of psychological storytelling without taking the director's chair himself.
Sally Shipka and Woon-A-Ta-i in a tale of domestic hypocrisy
The narrative of Hyena centers on a volatile domestic dynamic featuring Sally Shipka as Genevieve and Woon-A-Ta-i as her mysterious boyfriend, Alexei. As reported, the plot follows Alexei as he is introduced to Genevieve's seemingly perfect family, only for his presence to dismantle the household's facade of harmony. This unraveling exposes a web of dark desires and deep-seated hypocrisies within the family unit.
The supporting cast adds significant weight to the production, including Ramírez, known for Borderlands, and Rosemarie DeWitt, who has appeared in La La Land and Smile 2. The interplay between these established actors and the lead duo suggests a high-tension ensemble piece focused on the fragility of the nuclear family.
Why Spokane, Washington is the site for a 2027 production
Principal photography for Hyena is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2027, with the production base established in Spokane, Washington. The filmmakers have selected Spokane specifically for its atmospheric backdrop, which is intended to complement the psychological narrative of the film. This choice of location suggests a desire for a specific regional mood—likely one of isolation or understated Americana—that aligns with the thriller's themes.
The distant 2027 start date indicates a meticulous pre-production phase. By locking in the timeline now, producers David Lancaster and Jeff Elliott of Canary Black are ensuring that the post-production window is carefully managed to meet a specific release strategy, avoiding the rushed schedules often seen in independent genre films.
WME Independent’s push at the American Film Market
On the commercial front, WME Independent has been brought on to manage the global sales strategy for Hyena. The agency intends to present the project to international buyers at the American Film Market,signaling that the production is already being positioned as a high-value asset for global distribution. The involvement of a major sales entity like WME Independent suggests strong industry confidence in the film's commercial viability, likely bolstered by the David Lynch association.
The nature of Genevieve's 'extreme sacrifice'
While the plot outline provides a trajectory, several key details remain obscured. The report mentions that Genevieve eventually makes an "extreme and decisive sacrifice" to protect her fractured family after recognizing Alexei's dangerous nature, but the specific nature of this act is not disclsoed. Additionally, the source notes that the project previously circulated with different casting choices, though it does not specify who those original actors were or why the changes occurred.
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