IM Global has Acquired International Rights and will Launch the Film in Cannes
Friday 6 May 2016, London. Producers Barbara Broccoli (SPECTRE, SKYFALL) and Colin Vaines (GANGS OF NEW YORK, THE YOUNG VICTORIA, Ralph Fiennes’ CORIOLANUS, W.E.) today announced FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL will commence principal photography in the UK on 27 June. The film will be directed by BAFTA nominee Paul McGuigan (SHERLOCK, LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN) and stars four-time Academy Award® nominee and BAFTA winner, Annette Bening (THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, BEING JULIA, AMERICAN BEAUTY, THE GRIFTERS), BAFTA winner, Jamie Bell (BILLY ELLIOT, JANE EYRE, THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN) and two-time Academy Award® nominee and BAFTA winner, Julie Walters (BROOKLYN, PADDINGTON, BILLY ELLIOT, EDUCATING RITA). The production will be based at Pinewood Studios and on location in London and Liverpool.
Based on the acclaimed memoir by British actor Peter Turner, FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL follows the playful, but passionate relationship between Turner (Jamie Bell) and the eccentric Academy Award® winning actress Gloria Grahame (Annette Bening). What starts as a vibrant affair between a legendary femme fatale and her young lover, quickly grows into a deeper relationship with Turner being the one person she allows herself to turn to for comfort and strength. Their passion and lust for life is tested to the limits by events beyond their control.
The screenplay is written by BAFTA winner Matt Greenhalgh (CONTROL, NOWHERE BOY), the director of photography is Ula Pontikos (SECOND COMING, LILTING). The production designer is BAFTA-winning and Oscar® nominated Eve Stewart (LES MISERABLES, THE KING’S SPEECH, THE DANISH GIRL), costume designer is BAFTA Award winner Jany Temime (SPECTRE, GRAVITY, HERCULES) make-up and hair designer is BAFTA nominee Naomi Donne (SPECTRE, THE LADY IN THE VAN, CINDERELLA), the casting director is Debbie McWilliams (SPECTRE, SKYFALL) with a score by two-time Academy Award® nominated composer J. Ralph (MAN ON WIRE, THE COVE, RACING EXTINCTION).
Prolific independent entertainment studio IM Global, a subsidiary of Indian conglomerate Reliance ADA who is co-financing the film has acquired international distribution rights.
Pan Macmillan will republish the book by Peter Turner on 2 June 2016 in the UK.