Focus Features Acquires Andrew Scott’s Ian Charleson Biopic ‘Elsinore’
12 reported
Focus Features has acquired “Elsinore,” a biopic about actor Ian Charleson starring Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman, for the U.S. and multiple international territories, according to a report from Variety. The deal ended a competitive bidding war among several studios for the Simon Stone-directed drama. The studio is planning a fall release and a festival launch to begin the film’s awards run. Programmers at the Venice, Telluride, Toronto and New York fall festivals are reportedly circling the title, though a premiere venue has not been set. The film focuses on the final months of Charleson’s life, when he performed “Hamlet” at London’s National Theatre while privately battling AIDS. Charleson died in January 1990 at age 40, just weeks after the run concluded. Focus Features declined to comment on the acquisition.
What’s reported
Focus Features acquired “Elsinore” for the U.S. and multiple international territories.
The deal closed a competitive bidding war among several studios.
The film is directed by Simon Stone and written by Stephen Beresford.
Andrew Scott stars as Ian Charleson and also produces; Olivia Colman plays the doctor who treated him.
The ensemble includes Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson, Monica Dolan, Juliet Stevenson, Joe Locke, Adeel Akhtar, Matthew Beard, David Dawson, Kadiff Kirwan, Dickie Beau and Peter Mullan.
Producers include Andrea Occhipinti, Gaby Tana, Pete Shilaimon, Mickey Liddell, Stefano Massenzi and Carolyn Marks Blackwood.
The film comes from StudioCanal, LD Entertainment, Lucky Red and Magnolia Mae Films.
Filming took place across the U.K. earlier this year.
Focus Features is planning a fall release and a festival launch.
Programmers at Venice, Telluride, Toronto and New York festivals are reportedly interested, but no premiere venue is set.
Sources who have seen the film have been ecstatic and overwhelmingly positive about Scott’s performance.
Focus Features declined to comment.
Key figures
Andrew Scott: actor, stars as Ian Charleson and produces
Olivia Colman: Oscar winner, plays the doctor
Simon Stone: director
Stephen Beresford: writer
Ian Charleson: subject of the biopic, actor known for “Chariots of Fire”
Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson, Monica Dolan, Juliet Stevenson, Joe Locke, Adeel Akhtar, Matthew Beard, David Dawson, Kadiff Kirwan, Dickie Beau, Peter Mullan: ensemble cast
Andrea Occhipinti, Gaby Tana, Pete Shilaimon, Mickey Liddell, Stefano Massenzi, Carolyn Marks Blackwood: producers
Mike Eley: cinematographer
Valerio Bonelli: editor
Sources: Variety
