EXCLUSIVE: Michael Zelman and Hamid Mokhneche have lifted the wraps on their L.A.-based internationally focused production company Tyrus Pictures, which is taking flight with a film fund secured from private partners.
Former WME and LD Entertainment exec Zelman will serve as CEO, while producer and screenwriter Mokhneche takes the role of President of Production and Development.
Third co-founder Albert J. Zdenek, Jr. a major shareholder, has been appointed Executive Chairman of the company.
The cofounders say they want to prioritize “raw, emotionally resonant storytelling”, in the vein of narratives like Whiplash, Anora, and Slumdog Millionaire.
Their aim will be to produce one to two feature films per year, with budgets ranging from $5 million to $50 million, with a strong emphasis on creative quality and distinctive storytelling. The company is open to both domestic and international co-productions as part of its collaborative approach to filmmaking
First projects on the books include an English-language remake of the classic 1931 French film The Unknown Singer, originally directed by Victor Tourjansky and written by Henry Diamant-Berger, Pierre Georges Véber, Henri-Georges Clouzot, and Pierre Decoin.
A legendary French singer, missing for years and presumed dead, returns with no memory, his face hidden, his voice unmistakable. The woman who never stopped loving him clings to hope, while those who once betrayed him begin to fear he remembers everything.
Mokhneche is penning the script.
“When I first saw the film, I was completely drawn in by its mysterious atmosphere and the way it used music as a driving narrative force. By the time the credits rolled, I knew we had something powerful, a tale of vengeance and masked identity in the spirit of The Count of Monte Cristo or The Phantom of the Opera. A timeless story, reimagined for a new generation,’ said Mokhneche.
He and Zelman secured the remake rights in a deal negotiated with the SACD (France’s Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers), represented by Julie Parrens-Dottel and Fabien Colmant both Legal Affairs Executive Rights Negociations, for the SACD, on behalf of the estates.
Additional rights were secured through negotiations with Ghislaine Gracieux, who oversees the estate of legendary writer Henri-Georges Clouzot.
Production is expected to begin in Q2 2026.
Further first titles on the slate include Emily’s House, a psychological horror novel by acclaimed and prolific French sci-fi and fantasy author Jean-Pierre Andrevon.
With a career spanning over 200 works, Andrevon delivers a haunting tale of a man who visits an old flame living off the grid in the deep south of France. What begins as a brief detour spirals into a surreal escape where time, desire, and reality begin to unravel.
Deal terms were negotiated by Mokhneche and Zelman in direct collaboration with Andrevon.
Zelman, an attorney, worked in Business Affairs and Film Packaging at William Morris Endeavor (WME) before leaving the agency to join financier LD Entertainment.
At LD, he was involved in the production and/or acquisition of films including The Grey, directed by Joe Carnahan starring Liam Neeson; Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Biutiful starring Javier Bardem and Disconnect, starring Jason Bateman and Alexander Skarsgard.
Mokhneche will draw on a wealth of experience in development across European studios and independent producers as he leads the creative arm of Tyrus Pictures.
A screenwriter by trade, he began his career polishing scripts and providing high-level story consultancy. Often working in the shadows, his talent for story restructuring and emotional clarity has earned him a quiet but formidable reputation in international circles.
Zdenek will work closely with the executive management team to drive strategic direction and ensure the company operates effectively, profitably, and with disciplined financial strategy in the highly competitive world of film production.
He is also lead on the company’s capital-raising efforts, through the creation of Tyrus Film Fund I, a film investment vehicle targeting $50 million to support future productions.
A Certified Public Accountant and accomplished entrepreneur, he brings more than 40 years of experience advising high-net-worth clients and developing sophisticated financial strategies across wealth management, fintech, and real estate.
He was the founder of Traust Sollus Wealth Management, LLC in New York City, one of the most respected firms in the industry before being acquired by Mercer Advisors.
“Hamid Mokhneche and Michael Zelman represent a rare blend of creativity, talent, and strategic insight. Both possess a deep knowledge of film history and production and, more importantly, an instinct for what truly works,” said Zdenek.
“Hamid is a powerful screenwriter with an exceptional eye for quality storytelling and the vision to shepherd projects from concept to successful production. Michael brings invaluable operational expertise and a clear understanding of what it takes to make a film not only artistically successful, but also financially viable,” he added.
“As a lifelong cinephile, what drew me to them was their profound respect for cinema, their passion for storytelling, and their desire to contribute meaningfully to the legacy of great filmmaking.”
