Takeaways
- Daniel Kaluuya is in talks to star in A24’s sci-fi thriller Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel.
- The film is written and directed by Together filmmaker Michael Shanks.
- The screenplay previously appeared on the Black List.
- A24 is backing the project as a negative pickup.
- The story centers on a man trapped in a mysterious hotel room — forced to work with himself to escape.
Daniel Kaluuya may be heading back into high-concept territory.
The Oscar-winning actor is in talks to star in Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel, a new sci-fi thriller from filmmaker Michael Shanks, with A24 backing the project. For actors and industry professionals, this is another major collaboration to watch — especially as A24 continues expanding its genre slate.
What Is Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel About?
The film follows a man who wakes up trapped inside a mysterious hotel room. Completely alone in a mind-bending psychological prison, his only chance at survival — and escape — is teamwork.
With himself.
The high-concept premise blends psychological thriller and sci-fi elements, making it a strong fit for A24’s brand of cerebral, character-driven genre films.
The script previously landed on the 2021 Black List, which highlights the most-liked unproduced screenplays in Hollywood — often a sign of strong industry interest and awards potential.
A24’s Growing Sci-Fi Slate
Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel is set up as a negative pickup for A24. That means the studio has committed to acquiring the completed film, a common financing model for independent productions with strong creative packages attached.
The producing team includes:
- Mike Cowap and Emma Fitzsimmons (Princess Pictures)
- Adam McKay and Todd Schulman (HyperObject Industries)
Princess Pictures previously produced Shanks’ debut feature Together, a horror rom-com that premiered at Sundance 2025 and sold to Neon for $17 million. The film went on to gross more than $32 million worldwide — an impressive breakout success.
That momentum gives Shanks serious credibility heading into his second feature.
Why Daniel Kaluuya Is a Strong Fit
Kaluuya has built a career balancing blockbuster franchises with bold, original storytelling — making him an ideal lead for a psychological sci-fi thriller.
His breakout role in Jordan Peele’s Get Out (which grossed nearly $260 million worldwide) established him as a powerful leading man in elevated genre films.
He went on to:
- Star in Marvel’s Black Panther ($1.3 billion global gross)
- Appear in Widows directed by Steve McQueen
- Win an Academy Award for Judas and the Black Messiah
- Lead Jordan Peele’s 2022 sci-fi thriller Nope
- Voice Hobie Brown in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Kaluuya recently wrapped Misty Green, directed by Chris Rock, set for release later this year.
His involvement signals that Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel could attract strong awards and festival attention.
The Rise of Psychological Sci-Fi
High-concept, contained thrillers are trending across the industry. Films centered around isolation, identity, and psychological tension have gained traction with both audiences and streamers.
Examples of successful contained sci-fi thrillers include:
- Moon
- Ex Machina
- The Platform
- The One I Love
A24, in particular, has carved out a niche for bold, visually distinct genre films that center performance and atmosphere.
For actors looking to break into sci-fi or psychological thrillers, projects like this demonstrate the power of a strong script and festival buzz.
What This Means for the Industry
For entertainment professionals, this announcement reinforces a few key trends:
- A24 continues investing in elevated genre storytelling.
- Black List scripts remain a major pipeline for prestige projects.
- High-concept, single-location thrillers are commercially viable.
- Actors with awards credibility are gravitating toward original IP over franchise-only paths.
With Michael Shanks coming off a Sundance success and Kaluuya potentially attached, Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing sci-fi projects in development.
Final Thoughts
If the deal closes, Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel could be a standout collaboration between one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors and a rising genre filmmaker.
As A24 continues expanding its slate, expect more bold, actor-driven sci-fi projects to follow.
Stay tuned for official casting confirmation and production updates.
