Bleecker Street Acquires Rachel Zegler Thriller 'NDA' from Debut Director Audrey Ellis Fox
· 3 min read ·
Bleecker Street has acquired U.S. distribution rights to "NDA," a psychological thriller currently in production in New York. The film stars Golden Globe winner Rachel Zegler, Penn Badgley, and Academy Award nominee Amy Ryan, and marks the feature directorial debut of Audrey Ellis Fox.
Zegler leads the cast as Dana, a woman navigating what the logline describes as "a maddening day of mediation for an office harassment claim she filed." The story intensifies as a deadline looms, forcing Dana to confront the cost of her silence, her sanity, and the truth itself.
A Black List Script from an Accomplished Filmmaker
Ellis Fox's original screenplay for "NDA" was featured on the 2024 Black List, the annual compilation of well-regarded unproduced scripts in Hollywood. The project was also selected for the Women in Film X Black List Feature Residency program in 2023, signaling early industry recognition for the writer-director.
While "NDA" represents her first feature film, Ellis Fox is far from a newcomer. She has built an extensive portfolio as a narrative and commercial filmmaker, directing projects for major brands including Nike, Netflix, McLaren, Gatorade, Amazon, Nestlé, and Adidas. Her previous work with talent has included collaborations with Salma Hayek, Hailey Bieber, and Simu Liu.
"I'm thrilled to be collaborating with Rachel, Penn, Amy, Bleecker, and the rest of this exceptional team to bring my film to screen," Ellis Fox said in a statement. "'NDA' is a story about power and perception, and it's incredibly exciting to work with partners who so fiercely believe in its vision."
Bleecker Street Champions Bold, Filmmaker-Driven Cinema
Bleecker Street CEO Kent Sanderson expressed enthusiasm for the project, praising both the script and the creative team behind it.
"'NDA' was one of the best scripts I've read and is exactly the kind of bold, filmmaker-driven cinema we're passionate about championing," Sanderson said. "Audrey is a tremendous talent, and we're honored to collaborate with her and the equally talented Rachel to bring this story to life."
The film is produced by Jared Ian Goldman and Zola Elgart Glassman through Mighty Engine, Keith Calder and Jess Wu Calder through SNOOT, Caitlin Gold through Tanbark Pictures, and Daniel Ginsberg through In The Cut Productions. Ellis Fox serves as executive producer alongside Sanderson, Tyler DiNapoli, Miranda King, and Christian Hall.
A Cast Spanning Film, Television, and Stage
Zegler rose to prominence after being cast by Steven Spielberg in the lead role of "West Side Story," a performance that earned her a Golden Globe. She subsequently starred in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" and Disney's live-action "Snow White." Her stage work in "Evita" earned her the Olivier Award for Best Actress, and she is set to reprise the role on Broadway in 2027. Her upcoming projects include Lin-Manuel Miranda's film adaptation of the musical "Octet" and the dramedy "She Gets It from Me."
Badgley is best known for producing and starring in the Netflix thriller series "You," in which he played the calculating serial killer Joe Goldberg across five seasons. He also made his directorial debut during the show's run. Beyond acting, Badgley produced and co-hosts the popular podcast "Podcrushed." His next screen appearance will be in the romantic comedy "You Deserve Each Other," co-starring Meghann Fahy.
Ryan, an Academy Award nominee for her performance in "Gone Baby Gone," brings a distinguished career spanning film and television. Her film credits include "Birdman," "Bridge of Spies," "Beautiful Boy," and "Beau Is Afraid." On television, she is recognized for roles in "The Office," "The Wire," "In Treatment," and most recently "Only Murders in the Building." She is next set to appear in Tom McCarthy's upcoming film "A Statement."
With production underway in New York and a distribution partner now in place, "NDA" adds to Bleecker Street's growing slate of filmmaker-driven projects. The film pairs a Black List-honored script with a cast whose collective credits span blockbuster franchises, prestige television, and award-winning theater — setting high expectations for Ellis Fox's transition from commercial directing to feature filmmaking.
As "NDA" continues filming, audiences will be watching closely for further updates on a release date and additional casting news. If this thriller is already on your radar, share this article with fellow film enthusiasts and join the conversation about one of the most anticipated directorial debuts in the making.
