Matthew McConaughey (The Lincoln Lawyer, A Time to Kill), Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line), and Tye Sheridan (The Tree of Life, One Tree Hill) are in discussions to star in Mud, which is based on an original screenplay by Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter), who will also direct. Everest Entertainment is fully financing with Lisa Maria Falcone from Everest producing alongside Sarah Green (Untitled Terrence Malick Project, Take Shelter, The Tree of Life, Frida) and FilmNation Entertainment's Aaron Ryder. Glen Basner from FilmNation is executive producing. FilmNation will be handling international sales, with CAA and FilmNation to handle U.S. sales.

FilmNation also handled international sales on Jeff Nichols' acclaimed feature Take Shelter, which stars Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain. Take Shelter won Critic's Week at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

Mud is the powerful, redemptive tale of a charismatic fugitive named Mud (Matthew McConaughey) and his unlikely friendship with fourteen year old Ellis (Tye Sheridan). Ellis is determined to help his new friend escape from both the law and some very serious bounty hunters, in order to reunite Mud with his soul mate, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon).

"Jeff Nichols has written a beautiful story with rich characters learning valuable lessons through life-changing circumstances. With Jeff's vision, this will be a work of art," says Lisa Maria Falcone, founder of Everest Entertainment. "It's an incredible script which Jeff, along with Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, and Tye Sheridan, will bring to life. We've been privileged to work with incredible filmmakers like Danny Boyle, Thomas McCarthy and Rodrigo García and are thankful to add Jeff Nichols to that list."

"I knew the moment I read Mud that I wanted to make this film. Jeff is a rare talent and this exciting, heartfelt story is impossible to resist," said Producer Sarah Green. "It's thrilling to me that actors of this caliber are drawn to the material; it's a testament to the strength and appeal of Mud. I am also delighted to be joining forces once again with my friends at FilmNation, and with the amazing team at Everest."

"Jeff wrote a visceral story full of compassion, innocence and memorable journeys," said FilmNation's head of production Aaron Ryder. "We are thrilled to partner once again with Jeff and add new talent to the FilmNation roster."