Lilly Wachowski Discusses Funding Struggles for New Thriller ‘The Hunted’ Over Trans Representation
Lilly Wachowski is actively seeking ways to bring her upcoming film, ‘The Hunted’, to viewers after facing challenges in securing financing for the project.
The acclaimed filmmaker, known for co-directing ‘The Matrix’ alongside her sister Lana Wachowski, has noted that while Hollywood has shown interest in the thriller, they have been hesitant to provide the necessary funding. Wachowski attributes this reluctance primarily to the film’s emphasis on trans characters.
In a recent appearance on KCRW’s The Business podcast, Wachowski shared that studios and potential investors have responded positively to the script, yet they remain unwilling to greenlight the film.
“People like it, but they really don’t want to make it because it’s [got a] wall-to-wall trans cast,” Wachowski stated. With a budget estimated at around $10 million, ‘The Hunted’ is being developed through Anarchists United and Natasha Lyonne’s Ariadne banner, with Wachowski co-writing the project alongside her partner, Mickey Ray Mahoney.
Rather than giving up, Wachowski is exploring alternative avenues to bring the film to life. She recently hosted a live table read of the script at Los Angeles’ Dynasty Typewriter theater, which took place on August 7 and 8.
For Wachowski, this film holds personal significance beyond a typical directing endeavor. She expressed that writing the script allowed her to address the current challenges faced by trans individuals and channel her feelings of anger and frustration.
“This is a script that was extremely important for me to write,” she said. “It was a response to what is happening in the world for trans people, and it gave me a hugely cathartic receptacle to dump all of my anger and rage and frustration into.”
Despite the ongoing challenges in securing financing, Wachowski is committed to keeping the project alive. The table read also served as a celebration of the trans community and those involved in the film.
“I’m just going to go out and I’m going to grab that trans joy with all of my friends,” she explained. “It’s not the thing that I had imagined it was going to be, but the end result is the same.”
These remarks come at a time when filmmakers are increasingly faced with tough decisions regarding which projects studios are willing to finance. For an independent thriller with a $10 million budget, finding the right financial partner can be particularly challenging. Wachowski’s comments suggest that ‘The Hunted’ is encountering additional obstacles due to its subject matter and casting choices.
Wachowski has a rich history of creating projects that delve into themes of identity, technology, and the experiences of individuals living outside conventional social norms. She and Lana first made a significant impact with ‘The Matrix’ in 1999 and later returned for two sequels. Together, they have also directed ‘Speed Racer’, ‘Cloud Atlas’, and ‘Jupiter Ascending’.
‘The Hunted’ represents another deeply personal project for Wachowski, but its future remains uncertain until financing is secured. For now, she appears determined to pursue alternative paths rather than abandon the film.
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