Category: Projects
Harmony Korine’s ‘The Beach Bum’ lands UK and Ireland deal with Blue Finch
Harmony Korine’s ‘The Beach Bum’ lands UK and Ireland deal with Blue Finch
Harmony Korine’s comedy The Beach Bum, starring Matthew McConaughey, has secured a UK and Ireland theatrical deal with nascent distributor Blue Finch Film Releasing.
Rocket Science is handling international sales on the film, which premiered at SXSW in March and was then released in North American by Neon where it has grossed $3.5m to date.
Korine’s sixth feature, and his first since 2012 hit Spring Breakers, follows the misadventures of the rogueish Moondog (McConaughey) around the tropics of Cuba and Florida. Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Zac Efron, Jonah Hill and Martin Lawrence co-star.
The Beach Bum was produced by John Lesher, Steve Golin, Charles-Marie Anthonioz, Mourad Belkeddar and Nicolas Lhermitte, with financing from Ingenious Media, Riverstone Pictures and SPK Pictures.
Set up by former Kaleidoscope executive Mike Chapman, with sales executive Simon Crowe and financier Matthew Joynes in August 2018, Blue Finch will release the title later this year.
Blue Finch’s upcoming distribution slate also includes family animation Charming, SXSW title Body At Brighton Rock and Karen Gillan’s directorial debut The Party’s Just Beginning.
‘Blithe Spirit’ With Judi Dench, Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher Scores International Sales
‘Blithe Spirit’ With Judi Dench, Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher Scores International Sales
Filming has started on “Blithe Spirit,” an adaptation of Noel Coward’s classic comedy about love that just won’t die. Judi Dench, Isla Fisher and Dan Stevens are among the cast in the picture, which is helmed by Edward Hall (“Downton Abbey”). Protagonist has closed a raft of pre-sales on the project, which was previously adapted for the screen by David Lean in 1945.
Other cast members in the movie from Fred Films, Powder Keg Pictures, British Lion Films, Align Pictures and Protagonist Pictures include Leslie Mann, Julian Rhind-Tut, Emilia Fox, Dave Johns, and James Fleet.
The story tracks crime writer Charles (Stevens), who is struggling with writer’s block and a deadline for his first screenplay. His second wife, Ruth (Fisher), is doing her best to keep him focused in the hope of fulfilling her dream of heading to Hollywood. When Charles invites medium Madame Arcati (Dench) to perform a séance, she accidentally summons the spirit of his deceased first wife, the fiery and jealous Elvira (Mann), who embarks on a mission to kill Charles.
“The cast and team that have gathered together to realize this colorful and original comedy are testament to the enduring appeal of Noel Coward’s unique story,” said Hall, who described the tale as “elegant, escapist and anarchic.”
Studiocanal has snapped up the U.K. rights to the film, which is being financed by Align, the newly formed L.A.-based production and financing group. Align CEO Adrian Politowski and SVP of production Martin Metz are producing. James Spring, Meg Leonard, and Nick Moorcroft, who count “Fisherman’s Friends” among their credits, are also producing, alongside Hilary Bevan Jones (“Pirate Radio”), Peter Snell (“The Wicker Man”), and Toni Pinnolis. Leonard and Moorcroft wrote the screenplay with Piers Ashworth.
Protagonist is handling sales and has closed a raft of deals, including with Transmission for Australasia, A Contracorriente for Spain, Scanbox for Scandinavia, Cinepolis for Latin America and Forum Films for Israel.
“We were confident this timeless comedy, paired with a stellar cast, would entice buyers and are absolutely thrilled to return from Cannes with such strong partners,” said Vanessa Saal, managing director for sales and distribution at Protagonist.
(Variety)
Judi Dench, Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher to star in UK comedy ‘Blithe Spirit’ for Protagonist (exclusive)
Judi Dench, Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher to star in UK comedy ‘Blithe Spirit’ for Protagonist (exclusive)
Judi Dench, Dan Stevens and Isla Fisher will lead the cast of Edward Hall’s Blithe Spirit, based on Noel Coward’s 1941 play.
London-based Protagonist Pictures is handling worldwide rights on the project and has inked a series of early pre-sales on the title including Australia and New Zealand (Transmission), Spain (A Contracorriente Films), Airlines (Echo Lake Distribution), South Africa (Empire Entertainment), Middle East (Front Row), and Greece (Tanweer).
The feature will be a re-imagining of Coward’s comedy stage play, in which a best-selling crime novelist suffering from writer’s block struggles to finish his first screenplay. His quest for inspiration leads him to invite an eccentric mystic to his home to perform a séance. He gets more than he bargained when they inadvertently summon the spirit of his first wife.
The project will start shooting on June 17 in and around London. Producers are Fisherman’s Friends trio James Spring, Meg Leonard, and Nick Moorcroft, alongside Hilary Bevan Jones, Peter Snell and Tuni Pinnolis. The project is a Fred Films and Powder Keg Pictures production in association with British Lion Films.
Producers Leonard and Moorcroft also wrote the screenplay with Piers Ashworth. Alongside Spring, the trio are also working on a feature film about Jamaican-born musician and chef Levi Roots, announced earlier this week.
Director Hall’s credits include period series Downton Abbey, which Screen Star of Tomorrow 2006 Stevens starred in, and 2012 TV movie Restless.
Coward’s Blithe Spirit was previously adapted for the screen by David Lean in 1945.
Cannes: Matt Walsh, Isla Fisher to Star in ‘Unplugging’
Cannes: Matt Walsh, Isla Fisher to Star in ‘Unplugging’
Matt Walsh and Isla Fisher will star in “Unplugging,” a comedy about a couple who try to recapture their romance by taking a vacation in a rural town. They hope that unplugging from social media and electronics will force them to reconnect with each other and will save their marriage.
“Unplugging” marks the directorial debut of Debra Neil-Fisher, the editor of “Ted” and “The Hangover.” Walsh, best known for playing the hapless press secretary on “Veep,” penned the script with Brad Morris (“Cougar Town”). Both men will produce alongside Deborah Liebling (“Plus One”), Stephanie Laing (“Veep”) and Kevin Matusow and Carissa Buffel for The Traveling Picture Show Company. Radiant Films International will handle foreign sales and introduce to buyers at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The Gersh Agency and UTA Independent will co-represent domestic sales.
“My favorite films are relatable character comedies and travel adventure,” said Neil-Fisher. “When I was sent this script, I thought, I’ve finally found a cinematic story that is both. I am beyond thrilled to work with amazing comedians like Matt and Isla who can help me create hilarious timeless characters that everyone can relate to.”
Walsh most recently appeared in “Widows” and in the upcoming TV movie “Happy Accident.” Fisher’s film credits include “Wedding Crashers,” “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” and “Now You See Me.” She will be seen in the upcoming films “Greed” and “The Starling” opposite Keanu Reeves.
Walsh and Fisher are both represented by United Talent Agency (UTA). Neil-Fisher by Kaplan / Perrone Entertainment and The Gersh Agency. Morris by ICM Partners and Artists First.
(Variety)
Isla promotes “The Beach Bum” on Access Live
Isla made an appearance on Access Live last Thursday, and chatted about The Beach Bum and Marge In Charge:
Isla on The Late Late Show With James Corden
Isla appeared on The Late Late Show With James Corden earlier in the week, to promote her new US Marge book. She spent most of the interview laughing and it was a great appearance – I love her interviews with James Corden! When she did manage to stop laughing, she chatted about her encounter with the Jonas Brothers and their mother, Courteney Cox, her own secret language with her brother and husband, and her Marge book series. She reveals that she’s hoping to turn the book into a TV series in the US! Watch a clip (which is the best bit of the interview) below, and find HD screencaptures in our Gallery:
• The Late Late Show With James Corden (Screencaptures) x385
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“The Beach Bum” World Premiere at SXSW Festival
Isla attended the world premiere of The Beach Bum at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas last night. She posed with her director Harmony Korine and co-stars Matthew McConaughey and Stefania LaVie Owe, and chatted about why she wanted to make the film. Isla looked amazing in a pink suit by Moschino – I really love this look! Further down this post are some Twitter posts with coverage from the night; you can also watch the official live stream from the red carpet here and a red carpet interview with ET Canada here. In our Gallery we have the first HQ photos from the red carpet and presentation.
Reviews seem to be mixed, and you can read a selection of them through the Twitter posts embedded below.
• SXSW Festival – “The Beach Bum” Premiere x31
Continue reading “The Beach Bum” World Premiere at SXSW Festival