Cineverse Acquires North American Rights To ‘Chapter 51’

EXCLUSIVE: Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) and Colman Domingo (Michael) are among the leads of Chapter 51, the latest feature from American photographer and filmmaker Tyler Shields, which has been picked up for North America by Cineverse.

Described as a “comedic thriller,” Chapter 51 was written, directed, and shot by Shields. The film’s cast also features Emily Alyn Lind (We Were Liars), Charlotte Lawrence (Bad Monkey), and Connor Paolo (The Last Stop In Yuma County). 

Shields also produces alongside Giovanni Ribisi and Todd Mandel, with John Ryan Jr., Kenan Thompson, and Tyler Transki serving as executive producers. The film is slated for a nationwide VOD release on June 23.

The official plot reads: “During the making of a $500 million film, three actresses are murdered by an unidentified figure known as the Hollywood Killer. As fear spreads across the set, production continues under a new director. Years later, former FBI agent Thomas Scott reopens the case, unraveling a haunting story of ambition, obsession, and the cost of keeping the cameras rolling.” 

Shields shot the film on multiple large-scale formats, including IMAX, VistaVision, and Ultra70 Panavision.

“It was always my dream to make a big movie with a small crew,” he said in a statement. “Chapter 51 is what happens when people who truly love cinema come together—the cast was the crew, and everyone gave everything they had. This film wouldn’t exist without the support of IMAX Film Cameras, Panavision, and Kodak. They’re not just part of filmmaking—they’re the lifeblood of it.” 

Cineverse’s Dan Fisher described the film as a “chilling, razor-edged thriller” from a “truly visionary director.”

The deal was negotiated by Cineverse’s Dan Fisher and Nate Bolotin of XYZ Films on behalf of the filmmakers.