Fox Searchlight Pictures Presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley announced today that the company has acquired U.S. rights to “A Bigger Splash” starring Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton, Matthias Schoenaerts and Dakota Johnson. The film is directed by Luca Guadagnino (“I Am Love”) and written by David Kajganich (“True Story”). The film is produced by Michael Costigan and Guadagnino and is scheduled to be released in 2015. “A Bigger Splash” is fully financed by Studiocanal who will distribute the film in its territories, France, UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and is handling international sales.
“The film is a rich and enigmatic thriller and we look forward to bringing Luca’s vision to American audiences later this year. And we have the added joy of working with old friends – Ralph, Tilda, and Matthias,” said Utley and Gilula.
“I am honored that Fox Searchlight has chosen to distribute “A Bigger Splash” in the states. Tilda, Dakota, Ralph, and Matthias together with the rest of our cast have brought to life what we feel and hope will be an unforgettable movie going experience based on the brilliant script by Dave Kajganich,” said director and producer Guadagnino.
“I am thrilled that Searchlight is our partner on Luca Guadagnino’s much anticipated first English language film after “I Am Love.” This is an edgy, sexy, dangerous film with an extraordinary cast, and we know Searchlight embraces and knows how to reach a wide audience with original, filmmaker driven films,” said producer Costigan.
“We are very pleased to be in business with Fox Searchlight on Luca Guadagnino’s new film. I believe we have found the perfect partner to take care of this very unique glamorous thriller,” said Olivier Courson, Studiocanal Chairman and CEO.
In “A Bigger Splash,” the lives of a high profile couple, a famous rock star and a filmmaker (Matthias Schoenaerts and Tilda Swinton), vacationing and recovering on the idyllic sun-drenched and remote Italian island of Pantelleria are disrupted by the unexpected visit of an old friend and his daughter (Ralph Fiennes and Dakota Johnson) – creating a whirlwind of jealousy, passion and ultimate danger for everyone involved.
The deal was brokered by Fox Searchlight’s Executive Vice President of Worldwide Acquisitions Tony Safford, Senior Vice President of Business Affairs Megan O’Brien and Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Co-Productions Ray Strache and Anna Marsh Studiocanal Head of international sales.
Studiocanal is a subsidiary of the Canal+ Group. It is one of Europe’s leading companies in the market for co-production, acquisition, distribution and sales of international feature films and TV series. Studiocanal is the only studio operating simultaneously in the three main European territories—France, the United Kingdom and Germany—as well as in Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, Studiocanal owns one of the most important libraries in the world, with more than 5,000 international titles.
Fox Searchlight Pictures is a specialty film company that both finances and acquires motion pictures. It has its own marketing and distribution operations, and its films are distributed internationally by Twentieth Century Fox. Fox Searchlight Pictures is a unit of 21st Century Fox.
