How Jennifer Lawrence built a production powerhouse from a single vision
In short: Founded in 2018, Excellent Cadaver has rapidly evolved from a new venture into a major industry player. From Academy Award nominations to massive festival sales, the company is leveraging high-stakes storytelling to bridge the gap between news and human experience.
Established by actress Jennifer Lawrence and producing partner Justine Ciarrocchi, Excellent Cadaver operates through a strategic first-look deal with Makeready. This partnership allows the company to produce independently or through Makeready's existing connections with Universal Pictures and Entertainment One. The production firm maintains a collaborative relationship with Justine Ciarrocchi to manage its growing slate. This strategic approach ensures a steady flow of high-quality content across various media formats.
The company's early identity was marked by an animated logo created by filmmaker Don Hertzfeldt, which first appeared in the drama Causeway. Major industry acclaim defines the firm's achievements, highlighted by Brian Tyree Henry's 2022 Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the movie Causeway. Beyond dramatic works, the company has ventured into political documentaries, such as the project Zurawski v Texas. This expansion highlights their commitment to addressing significant social and legal issues through film.
The company's portfolio spans diverse genres, from the comedy No Hard Feelings, which grossed over $89 million, to the documentary Bread and Roses, which premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. More recently, the dark comedy Die My Love was sold to Mubi for $24 million at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marking the festival's biggest sale of that year. The company's upcoming projects include a Miss Piggy film in partnership with Disney and Fruit Tree. Furthermore, they are developing a romantic comedy titled One Month Mark for Apple Studios.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Excellent Cadaver
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