Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Lead Darren Aronofsky-Produced Horror Film ‘Pendulum’ From ‘Black Swan’ Writer, Black Bear Selling

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is set to lead the horror feature “Pendulum,” written and directed by “Black Swan” scribe Mark Heyman.

The film will be produced by Darren Aronofsky (“Black Swan,” “The Whale”) for Protozoa, Jacob Jaffke (“MaXXXine,” “Dream Scenario”) for Motel Mojave and Dave Caplan (“Longlegs”) for C2, who will also fully finance. The picture will start principal photography in March 2025 in New Mexico, with Black Bear launching the project to buyers internationally.

In “Pendulum,” young couple Patrick (Gordon-Levitt) and Abigail journey to a new-age retreat in New Mexico, drawn by the possibility of healing after a traumatic event. Patrick is willing to do anything to help his wife, but becomes distrustful of the retreat’s enigmatic leader even as Abigail falls under her spell. As paranoia builds, the couple must determine if the group’s unconventional spiritual practices offer genuine healing – or mask a terrifying truth that threatens to consume them both.

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A long-time collaborator of Aronofsky, Heyman wrote the BAFTA-nominated screenplay for the director’s “Black Swan,” which grossed $330 million worldwide, and served as a co-producer on “The Wrestler” and as an executive producer on “Mother!” Heyman also wrote Disney’s 2023 horror breakout “The Boogeyman” and co-wrote the beloved film “The Skeleton Twins,” which won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance. In television, he created the occult TV series “Strange Angel” for Paramount+.

Black Bear represents international rights on the film and will introduce the project to buyers at the American Film Market next week. UTA Independent Film Group, CAA Media Finance and WME Independent rep domestic rights.