THE VELVET CODA
A thrilling heist story that follows Samantha Rodgers, a skilled thief who steals a priceless tapestry from Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa in Venice, only to discover she's been drawn into a dangerous game involving international smuggling, blackmail, and a mysterious figure named Foued Mansour.
When Samantha learns her heist is connected to Foued, a shadowy criminal using diplomatic immunity to traffic stolen artifacts, she must navigate a web of deception alongside Chris, a manipulative operative, and Delphine Lancelot, her former ballet mentor with a complicated past.
©ARTEMIS STUDIO INC
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2026
CAT BURGLAR
The Basilica Infiltration
Samantha Rodgers moves with feline grace across the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa rooftop, using an AI-driven tool to descend and steal the priceless tapestry.
The Mysterious Handoff
A sleek black car with diplomatic plates awaits at the rendezvous point, taking the tapestry and leaving Samantha with growing unease about her employer.
The Revelation
The next morning, news headlines connect the theft to Foued Mansour, a notorious smuggler using stolen artifacts to fund illicit operations.
The Warning
An encrypted message from her employer warns Samantha that Foued is watching everyone involved and directs her to meet Chris in Monaco.
The Monaco Connection
1
Delphine's Dilemma
Delphine Lancelot meets with Chris at a discreet Monaco café, revealing Foued's blackmail: she must steal "The Celestial Diamond." necklace at an upcoming gala or face exposure of her past.
2
Samantha's Reconnaissance
Chris photographs Samantha entering a Chanel boutique, then approaches her with a cryptic question about a necklace, beginning their dangerous alliance.
3
The Confrontation
Samantha breaks into Chris's hotel room, revealing she was Delphine's former ballet student and proposing they team up to steal the necklace during Delphine's Ballet Gala.
4
The Betrayal
Chris reveals he has the stolen Venice tapestry, exposing his manipulation of Samantha and complicating their alliance with personal stakes.
The Hidden Code
The Necklace's Secret
"The Celestial Diamond." necklace contains more than just diamonds - Foued has embedded a microscopic encryption code into the largest diamond, visible only under specific ultraviolet light.
The Key to Power
This hidden code serves as a key to unlock access to the main digital vault in a Monaco bank containing damning evidence of Foued's criminal empire.
The Approaching Gala
As the Ballet Gala approaches, Delphine, Samantha, and Chris each prepare their own agendas, with the yacht heist planned during the event.
The Yacht Heist
Preparation
Chris monitors from their boat while Samantha paddles, ready to infiltrate the yacht where "The Celestial Diamond." is kept.
Infiltration
Using AI-powered systems, Chris hacks the yacht's security while Samantha slips inside, navigating past cameras to reach the safe.
Acquisition
Samantha successfully retrieves the necklace from the digital safe and escapes back to the water.
Revelation
At a warehouse confrontation, Chris reveals he's working against Foued, not for him, and the necklace is key to dismantling Foued's operation.
The Bank Heist
The Distraction
Delphine hosts the Chanel ballet gala with a Venetian theme, keeping Foued distracted while a ballerina wears "The Celestial Diamond.", triggering Foued's alarm.
The Infiltration
Chris and Samantha access the bank through a construction site, solving a Monegasque language riddle to enter the antechamber.
The Vault Access
Using the necklace's diamond under ultraviolet light, they reveal the hidden code that unlocks Foued's secure vault containing evidence of his crimes.
The Escape and Confrontation
Foued's Fall
In a final confrontation at Delphine's office, Foued attacks but falls through a shattered window to his death.
Evidence Delivered
The team delivers Foued's criminal evidence to Interpol, the UN, and multiple agencies, dismantling his network.
The Venetian Escape
After downloading the evidence, they escape through Cold War tunnels, emerging into a Venetian carnival parade and blending with the masked crowd.
The Aftermath
1
Justice Served
Foued's empire is exposed through international headlines, with Interpol conducting raids based on the evidence.
2
Sophie Cleared
Delphine's name is cleared, with official reports stating Foued attacked an officer and fell while resisting arrest.
3
Tapestry Returned
The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa tapestry is anonymously returned to the basilica with a donation for improved security systems.
4
New Beginning
Chris and Samantha contemplate keeping "The Celestial Diamond." necklace as "severance pay" and hint at future heists together in Venice.
DIRECTOR'S CHOICE
DISCLAIMER : Directors listed here are not attached and represent only producer's wishlist
(The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith)
Proven heist/action + European locations
(Limitless, The Illusionist)
Stylized thrillers with visual flair
(Reminiscence, Westworld)
Sophisticated sci-fi heist elements, visual style
CASTING - LEAD ACTRESS
DISCLAIMER : Actresses are not attached and represent only producer's wishlist
🇸🇪
as SAMANTHA
Oscar winner · Tomb Raider · Jason Bourne 🇸🇪
Action experience and European appeal
🇮🇹
as SAMANTHA
Rose Island · The Undoing
Prominent young Italian actress with domestic and international visibility
🇺🇸
as SAMANTHA
2020 Nominee Oscar
2018 Nominee Oscar
2016 Nominee Oscar

BACKUP OPTION
In the event that both Matilda De Angelis and Saoirse Ronan decline, Alicia Vikander 🇸🇪 (Oscar winner · Tomb Raider · Jason Bourne) is the recommended fallback. Strong action credentials, European appeal, and award pedigree make her a credible alternative at the same budget tier.
CASTING - LEAD ACTOR
DISCLAIMER : Actors are not attached and represent only producer's wishlist
1ST PREFERENCE
as CHRIS
🇬🇧
2020 Nominee BAFTA TV Award
Leading Actor
2ND PREFERENCE
as CHRIS
🇬🇧
2026 Nominee CinEuphoria
Best Supporting Actor - International Competition
3RD PREFERENCE
as CHRIS
🇬🇧
2024 Nominee Golden Globe
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series
4TH PREFERENCE
as CHRIS
🇬🇧
Charming Menace
2025 Nominee Astra TV Award
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
SUPPORTING CAST
DISCLAIMER : Actors are not attached and represent only producer's wishlist
1ST PREFERENCE
🇸🇪
as DELPHINE
Mission: Impossible
Sophisticated European action
11 wins & 30 nominations total
2ND PREFERENCE
🇫🇷
as DELPHINE
2022 Nominee César
Best Actress (Meilleure actrice)
🇫🇷
as FAREZ
2025 Nominee César
Best Actor (Meilleur acteur)
🇬🇧
as FOUED
2011 Nominee Chlotrudis Award
Best Actor

Five Viable Trios, Ranked
Each combination optimizes for a different financier reality. The right answer depends on whether it is indie sales-driven or streamer-anchored.
THE APPLE STACK
TRIO E
The Apple Platform Stack

Cast:
Samantha → Saoirse Ronan · 32 · 🇮🇪
Chris → Callum Turner · 36 · 🇬🇧
Delphine → Rebecca Ferguson · 42 · 🇸🇪
Investor Security ★★★★★ Ronan four-time Oscar nominee + Beatles slate; Ferguson MI/Dune/Silo franchise lead; Turner BAFTA nom + Apple's Neuromancer lead
Theatrical Appeal ★★★★½ Ferguson MI/Dune fanbase IS the heist audience; Ronan's Little Women crossed $218M; Turner's Boys in the Boat pedigree
Sales Agent Appeal ★★★★★ Cumulative territory floor lift 55–70% above tier average; strongest of any trio considered
Streamer Interest ★★★★★ All three are existing Apple TV+ platform talent; Apple becomes structurally obvious lead at $10–13M for US window
Italian DGCA Boost ★★★ Ronan Irish/EU + Ferguson Swedish + Turner British; Italian crew and Cinecittà base protect the 50-point threshold
$2.75M cast envelope overrun — Apple co-finance is the natural absorption mechanism
MOST BANKABLE
TRIO A
The Prestige Action Stack

Cast:
Samantha → Matilda De Angelis · 30 · 🇮🇹
Chris → Robert Pattinson · 39 · 🇬🇧
Delphine → Rebecca Ferguson · 42 · 🇸🇪
Investor Security ★★★★★ Pattinson $1.9B career, four $100M+ films in a row; Ferguson Dune/MI franchise lead
Theatrical Appeal ★★★★★ opens domestically; Ferguson's MI fanbase is exactly the heist audience
Sales Agent Appeal ★★★★★ Package goes to AFM with floor estimates 50%+ above tier average
Streamer Interest ★★★★★ Apple, Amazon, Netflix would all engage at deal level
Italian DGCA Boost ★★★★ De Angelis is Italian, anchors Cultural Eligibility points
Pattinson's quote will exceed budgeted $2M; renegotiate or restructure
THE PROPOSED PACKAGE
TRIO C
The Proposed Package

Cast:
Samantha → Matilda De Angelis 🇮🇹
Chris → Sam Claflin · 39 · 🇬🇧
Delphine → Rebecca Ferguson · 42 · 🇸🇪
Investor Security ★★★★½ Ferguson is a Mission: Impossible / Dune franchise lead; Claflin mid-pivot into thrillers; De Angelis carried Citadel: Diana for Prime
Theatrical Appeal ★★★★ Ferguson's MI/Dune fanbase IS the heist audience; Claflin brings Hunger Games carryover
Sales Agent Appeal ★★★★★ Three EU nationalities (UK/Sweden/Italy) lift floors materially; Ferguson opens estimates 30–40% above tier average
Streamer Interest ★★★★★ Apple TV+ likely lead (Ferguson's Silo home); all three majors have pre-existing relationship with someone in this trio
Italian DGCA Boost ★★★★ De Angelis anchors maximum Cultural Eligibility points
Budget fits tight — strongest overall balance of bankability, genre fit, and streamer appeal
SUBSET OF E
TRIO D
The Lean Apple Stack

Cast:
Samantha → Saoirse Ronan · 32 · 🇮🇪
Chris → Sam Claflin · 39 · 🇬🇧
Delphine → Rebecca Ferguson · 42 · 🇸🇪
Investor Security ★★★★ Ronan four-time Oscar nominee; Ferguson MI/Dune/Silo franchise lead; Claflin mid-pivot into thrillers
Theatrical Appeal ★★★★ Ferguson MI/Dune fanbase IS the heist audience; Ronan's Little Women crossed $218M
Sales Agent Appeal ★★★★ Strong EU floor lift; Ronan delivers UK/IE/AU/NZ at near-studio rates
Streamer Interest ★★★★ Apple TV+ likely lead — Ronan (Blitz) and Ferguson (Silo) are both platform talent
Italian DGCA Boost ★★★ Ronan Irish/EU + Ferguson Swedish; Italian crew protects 50-point threshold
Same package as Trio E minus Turner's Apple leverage. Use only if Turner unavailable.
BEST FIT FOR BUDGET
TRIO B
The European Prestige Stack

Cast:
Samantha → Matilda De Angelis · 30 · 🇮🇹
Chris → Dan Stevens · 43 · 🇬🇧
Delphine → Léa Seydoux · 40 · 🇫🇷
Investor Security ★★★★ Stevens just had Abigail / Cuckoo / Zero Day; Seydoux is Bond / Dune-tier prestige
Theatrical Appeal ★★★ Strong adult thriller play, smaller theatrical ceiling than Trio A
Sales Agent Appeal ★★★★★ Seydoux lifts FR/EU floors materially; perfect Cannes pedigree
Streamer Interest ★★★★ Apple TV+ likely lead candidate (Stevens' Zero Day comp)
Italian DGCA Boost ★★★★★ Italian + French leads max European prestige scoring
Lowest — three quotes that fit current budget envelope
CASTING TRIOS — RANKED
Each combination optimizes for a different financier reality.
Ronan 🇮🇪
Turner 🇬🇧
Ferguson 🇸🇪
#1 · TRIO E — PURSUE
Best overall. Three Apple assets unlock co-finance that absorbs the overrun.

De Angelis 🇮🇹
Pattinson 🇬🇧
Ferguson 🇸🇪
#2 · TRIO A — ASPIRATIONAL
Highest theoretical ceiling but Pattinson's quote requires $12M+ streamer commitment first.

De Angelis 🇮🇹
Claflin 🇬🇧
Ferguson 🇸🇪
#3 · TRIO C — SOLID BACKUP
Holds Italian DGCA bullseye via De Angelis. Best fallback if Ronan declines.

Ronan 🇮🇪
Claflin 🇬🇧
Ferguson 🇸🇪
#4 · TRIO D — SUBSET OF E
Same package as E minus Apple leverage. Use only if Turner unavailable.

De Angelis 🇮🇹
Stevens 🇬🇧
Seydoux 🇫🇷
#5 · TRIO B — BUDGET-FIT SAFE 💰
Fits envelope without restructuring. Cannes prestige play. Lower ceiling.
Quick orientation
Trio E is the strongest of the six on four of five criteria (5★ on investor security, sales agent, streamer; 4.5★ on theatrical), and the only weakness — Italian DGCA at 3★ — doesn't actually break anything because the credit's 50-point threshold is still cleared comfortably with the Italian PSC, Italian PD, Cinecittà base, and Italian crew already locked in.
VISION - BRANDING - MARKETING
Monaco, with its timeless elegance and refined luxury, provides not only an unmatched cinematic backdrop but also a unique opportunity for branding and marketing integration. The principality's stunning architecture, glittering Mediterranean coastline, and iconic landmarks such as the Monte Carlo Casino create an atmosphere of opulence and sophistication that perfectly complements the allure of a high-stakes heist.
Branding Opportunities
Monaco’s prestige and exclusivity naturally lend themselves to high-end partnerships that can elevate the film’s profile. From luxury car brands like Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, and Ferrari cruising along Monaco’s winding streets, to designer wardrobes from global fashion houses such as Chanel, Dior, or Louis Vuitton, every element of the film can become a carefully curated extension of the Monaco lifestyle.
Additionally, partnerships with world class vendors yachts, jewelry, fine dining establishments, and iconic hotels can seamlessly integrate into the narrative, elevating both the cinematic appeal and cross promotional opportunities. These brands do not just serve as props but become intrinsic to the story, reinforcing the film’s luxurious tone while simultaneously creating co marketing campaigns to reach wider audiences.
Marketing Across Locations
Filming in Monaco also allows for global marketing appeal, as the location itself is synonymous with glamour, exclusivity, and intrigue. This appeal can be leveraged in promotional campaigns, from behind the scenes footage of iconic Monaco locations to red carpet premieres at venues like the Monte Carlo Opera House. The region’s picturesque scenery and association with high-class living offer a ready-made marketing angle that filmmakers can use across international markets.
A Nod to the Past and the Future
By weaving in Monaco’s cinematic legacy, tied to the golden era of Alfred Hitchcock and Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief, the film can embrace its heritage while reimagining it for modern times.
This connection deepens the story’s sophistication while branding the film as a modern homage to the glamour of the 1960s.
The wardrobe, cars, and set design can reflect a blend of vintage elegance and contemporary style, appealing to audiences across generations.In essence, Monaco offers more than just a stunning location, it serves as a strategic branding powerhouse, where every detail, from wardrobe to cars and locations, can be monetized and marketed globally. This synergy between cinematic storytelling and luxury branding ensures not only a visually captivating film but also a project that resonates far beyond the screen, creating a cultural moment that is both timeless and modern.

Tax Film Incentives in Italy
Italy offers one of Europe's most competitive and structured film tax incentive frameworks, making it an increasingly attractive destination for international productions. With iconic locations from Venice to Rome, the Amalfi Coast to the Dolomites, Italy combines cinematic beauty with powerful financial incentives.
Tax Credit for International Productions
Italy's flagship incentive for foreign productions offers a 40% tax credit on eligible Italian spend, making it one of the highest rates in Europe.
Key Features:
  • Credit Rate: Up to 40% of eligible production expenses incurred in Italy (reduces to 30% for specific above-the-line costs relating to non-European entities)
  • Minimum Spend: Productions must spend at least €250,000 in Italy
  • Eligible Expenses: Crew salaries, equipment rental, set construction, post-production, and VFX work carried out in Italy
  • AI Costs: Costs related to AI use are ineligible, except for AI attributable to special effects
  • Cultural Test: Projects must demonstrate a connection to European culture, heritage, or storytelling
  • Cap: Up to €4 million per film project (up to €6 million with significant international participation)
  • Eligible Formats: Feature films, TV series, documentaries, animation, and VFX-heavy projects
Cinema and Audiovisual Fund
Italy's Cinema and Audiovisual Fund is set at €610 million for 2026, reflecting the country's strong commitment to supporting the film industry. In 2024, Italy classified 400 films with a total production spend of €827.25 million — an 18% increase year-on-year.
Why Italy?
Italy's prestige as a filming destination is unmatched. The country's Ministry of Culture actively promotes international co-productions, and Italy has become a top choice for high-budget international productions seeking both financial incentives and world-class locations. As Italian Culture Minister Lucia Borgonzoni stated: "We continue to be extremely attractive for international productions, despite the tough competition from other countries."
Production Strategy: Cinecittà & Monaco
The Velvet Coda will leverage a dual-hub production strategy — anchoring principal photography at Rome's legendary Cinecittà Studios while utilizing Monaco as the primary location for exterior shoots, establishing a seamless partnership between Italy's world-class studio infrastructure and the Principality's unmatched cinematic backdrop.

Cinecittà Studios — Rome, Italy
Cinecittà, the iconic "Hollywood on the Tiber," serves as the main production studio for The Velvet Coda. Currently undergoing a major expansion from 19 to 24 soundstages — a 60% increase in studio capacity — Cinecittà offers state-of-the-art facilities for large-scale productions.
  • 24 Soundstages (expanding): Including the newly added Studio 22 (38,000+ sq ft) for large-scale set builds
  • Volume Stage 18 — LED Virtual Production: One of the largest LED walls in Europe — a curved LED wall 8m high, 25m wide and 52m long (452 sqm total surface), paired with a 417 sqm motorized LED ceiling. Features a 360° rotating platform (25m diameter) for rapid set repositioning. Enables full virtual production of Venice canals, Monaco harbor, and interior environments without location constraints.
  • 70% Cash-Back During Filming: Italy's 40% tax credit allows 70% of the credit to be accessed immediately during production — a critical cash-flow advantage for high-budget shoots.
  • No Per-Project Cap: Unlike other countries, Italy imposes no cap per project (only a €20M/year cap per company), enabling full-budget productions to maximize incentive returns.

Monaco — Location Partnership
Monaco serves as the production's primary exterior filming location, providing the authentic backdrop of the harbor, Casino de Monte-Carlo, luxury hotels, and the Principality's iconic streets.
  • Permitting: Mandatory 15-day lead time for public space permits; full script submission required one month in advance for government approval
  • Technical Logistics: All equipment sourced from production hubs in Nice and the French Riviera
  • Société des Bains de Mer Partnership: Coordination with Monaco's SBM group for access to the Casino, Hotel de Paris, and other iconic venues
  • French TRIP Structuring: Portions of prep and production occurring on French soil (Nice, Cannes, Antibes) can be structured to qualify for the French TRIP rebate (30–40%), complementing the Italian tax credit

The Strategic Advantage
By combining Cinecittà's virtual production capabilities with Monaco's real-world glamour, The Velvet Coda achieves maximum production value while optimizing its financial structure. Interior scenes, complex heist sequences, and controlled environments are shot at Cinecittà using LED virtual production — dramatically reducing location costs. Exterior establishing shots, chase sequences, and harbor scenes are captured on location in Monaco, ensuring authenticity.
Comparable films analysis
Premium international heist thriller, $40–60M tier, recent finance comps with theatrical multiple and streaming-era performance.
Sources: Box Office Mojo, The Numbers, Variety, Wikipedia, FlixPatrol, Reelgood.
CLOSEST TONAL COMP
Operation Fortune
$50M / 1.0x · Streaming success on Peacock + Hulu
UPSIDE BENCHMARK
The Beekeeper
$40M / 4.1x · Same tier proves the upside is real
Legacy DNA — tone references, not finance anchors
Ocean's Eleven
Smart, elegant, aspirational heist energy
The Italian Job
Commercial team-play, velocity, criminal fun
Entrapment
Luxury seduction, international intrigue
Strategic takeaway
Tier delivers theatrical results from 0.5x to 5.2x
Package strength is the determining variable.
Cast-supported genre titles (Wrath of Man, The Beekeeper) cleared 2.6–4.1x; under-packaged or under-distributed titles (Operation Fortune, Ungentlemanly Warfare) struggled theatrically but recovered downstream value through streaming output deals.
The Velvet Coda sits in the same lane with a net budget $39.3M after Italian credit, theatrical result driven by attached cast, with confirmed streaming downside floor.
Verification & sources
All seven figures from your attachment cross-checked against current sources (Box Office Mojo, Wikipedia, The Numbers, Variety) and confirmed accurate within rounding:
  • The Gentlemen $22M / $115.17M (BO Mojo) CNC — 5.2x ✓
  • Honest Thief $30-31M budget Wrapbook, ~$31.5M WW — 1.0x ✓
  • Wrath of Man $40M / $104M (Wikipedia) M-f-c — 2.6x ✓
  • Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare $60M / ~$16M domestic, ~$29M total (limited release) Wikipedia — 0.5x ✓
Streaming-era data
  • The Beekeeper streaming success after $152.7M theatrical, ranked #9 on Reelgood for week of April 25-May 1 Mestierecinema; sequel greenlit for January 2027
  • Operation Fortune at #9 on Hulu's Top 10 in August 2025 — Strong streaming reclaim two years after theatrical disappointment francecanadaculture
  • Ungentlemanly Warfare's international rights went to Prime Video output deal — Strong streaming downside floor offset weak theatrical Wikipedia
  • The Gentlemen — Netflix series spinoff in 2024 demonstrating IP value tail Screen Daily
The Case to Greenlight
A premium international heist with the structural pieces already in place — Italian tax credit confirmed at 40%, Cinecittà and Monaco locked, $5.6M soft money already in the stack. What remains is execution.
Why this works at the box office
Genre Tailwind
Heist thrillers in the $40–60M tier delivered 2.6–5.2x for cast-supported titles. The lane is hot — The Beekeeper proved it in 2024.
Differentiated Package
Two SAG leads, female-fronted heist, Monaco + Frari Basilica via LED — visual identity competitors can't replicate.
Streaming Downside Floor
Every comp in the deck recovered material value via streaming. Even theatrical underperformers cleared their stacks downstream.
Italian Credit De-Risks
$5.6M of confirmable soft money pulls effective negative cost from $45M to $39M before a single ticket is sold.
Theatrical return scenarios — Net budget $39.3M after Italian credit
Franchise upside
The Coda Universe — Sequel ROI math
Heist franchises compound in this tier because the second film inherits the audience and trims the package risk. Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen followed the formula. The Beekeeper 2 is the live-fire 2027 example. A second Velvet Coda would carry the same Italian PSC, the same Cinecittà infrastructure, the same crew — and at a sequel-discounted negative cost.
SEQUEL NEGATIVE COST
~$32M
Net of Italian credit, infrastructure carryover
SEQUEL AWARENESS LIFT
+25–40%
Genre franchise norm — built-in audience
TWO-PICTURE PORTFOLIO ROI
+60–80%
Vs. single-film case at same multiples

Bottom line
The Velvet Coda is a financeable independent in a hot lane with structural advantages most $45M packages don't have: a confirmed 40% Italian tax credit, a locked production base at Cinecittà, and a streaming-era downside floor every comp in our deck has demonstrated.
The base case returns capital. The upside case clears $36M+ producer net on the first film alone. With a sequel and the heist genre's franchise track record argues for one.
The two-picture portfolio comfortably outperforms the single-film return, with a sharply lower cost basis on film two.