In 2015, Netflix acquired the indie horror film “Circle,” which saw 50 strangers trapped in a room and forced to decide who would be the one survivor through a series of votes and debates about the worth of each human life.
Nearly a decade later, with the “12 Angry Men”-inspired project having become something of a cult hit, two producers of the film have reunited to create a sequel, “Circles.” Per the official logline, “17 years after being pawns in a cruel game of psychological warfare, the survivors of an invasion face a new threat.”
Michael Nardelli, who starred in “Circle” as lone survivor Eric, and Brent Stiefel are re-teaming to produce the sequel. Devon Graye is writing the film, which is financed and entering production later this year.
Nardelli made is acting debut opposite Zac Efron in the 2005 indie film “The Derby Stallion.” He also produced and starred in Sam Levinson’s 2011 feature directorial debut “Another Happy Day,” which featured Ezra Miller, Kate Bosworth, Thomas Haden Church and Demi Moore, and appeared in the Sydney Sweeney-led 2016 film “Cassidy Way.” His TV credits include “Revenge,” “Nashville,” “Hart of Dixie,” “American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson” and “Dark/Web,” serving as a writer, director and star on the last title. Nardelli is repped by Eris Talent Agency and Parkside Talent.
Stiefel is the founder and CEO of the entertainment firm Votiv, with producing credits besides “Circle” including “As You Are” (2016), “Free In Deed” (2015) and “Obvious Child” (2014).
Graye’s breakout as a writer was the 2016 Black List script “Allison Adams.” He then went on to write the Helen Hunt-led thriller “I See You” before writing for Season 2 of Starz’s “The Girlfriend Experience.” His recent spec script “Switchboard” has Matt Reeves and Steven Schneider attached as producers. He is repped by Alex Rincon at UTA.
(Pictured, left to right: Nardelli, Stiefel, Graye)