Focus Features Line Up for 2018
Focus Features is proud to announce their line up of films for 2018 and I’m glad to be bringing you the list of fun movies. There are quite a few that I’ve heard great things about, so be sure to check them all out and mark their opening day on your calendar.
Thoroughbreds from Focus Features
Focus Features will release THOROUGHBREDS in select theaters on March 9, 2018
Childhood friends Lily and Amanda reconnect in suburban Connecticut after years of growing apart. Lily has turned into a polished, upper-class teenager, with a fancy boarding school on her transcript and a coveted internship on her resume; Amanda has developed a sharp wit and her own particular attitude, but all in the process of becoming a social outcast. Though they initially seem completely at odds, the pair bond over Lily’s contempt for her oppressive stepfather, Mark, and as their friendship grows, they begin to bring out one another’s most destructive tendencies. Their ambitions lead them to hire a local hustler, Tim, and take matters into their own hands to set their lives straight.
Writer/Director: Cory Finley
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin, and Paul Sparks
For more info, please follow the film on social:
Official Site I Facebook I Twitter I Instagram
#Thoroughbreds
7 Days in Entebbe
Focus Features will release 7 Days In Entebbe in select theaters on March 16, 2018
The preview is an intense view into a must watch story. 7 Days In Entebbe is A gripping thriller inspired by the true events of the 1976 hijacking of an Air France flight en route from Tel Aviv to Paris, the film depicts the most daring rescue mission ever attempted
Director: José Padilha (“Narcos,” “Elite Squad”)
Writer: Gregory Burke (“’71”)
Cast: Rosamund Pike, Daniel Brühl, Eddie Marsan, Ben Schnetzer, Lior Ashkenazi, and Denis Ménochet
For more info, please follow the film on social:
Official Site I Facebook I Twitter I Instagram
#7DaysInEntebbe
Tully From Focus Features
Focus Features will release Tully in theaters on April 20, 2018. As a mother you never forget just how tired you are from doing your job, while it is one of the most rewarding careers out there sometimes you need a little help. I would have loved to have a night nanny when Liz was growing up, and we have to remember that as moms we can have help because it only makes us stronger in the end.
Story: A new comedy from Academy Award®-nominated director Jason Reitman (“Up in the Air”) and Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody (“Juno”). Marlo (Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron), a mother of three including a newborn, is gifted a night nanny by her brother (Mark Duplass). Hesitant to the extravagance at first, Marlo comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising, and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully (Mackenzie Davis).
Director: Jason Reitman (“Juno,” “Up in the Air,” “Young Adult”)
Writer: Diablo Cody (“Juno,” “Young Adult”)
Cast: Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass, and Ron Livingston
For more info, please follow the film on social:
Official Site I Facebook I Twitter I Instagram
#Tully
Won’t You Be My Neighbor
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? will have its World Premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Mr. Rogers had a job to do and he done his job well for many years and has been an icon in the television industry for decades. He was a television celebrity and love is the important lesson for all kids to learn because it is at the root of everything we know. Love or the lack of it helps shape us into the people we are and watching Mr. Rogers on the screen you felt the love no matter what age you were. The set was simple and the lessons were just as simple because he wanted everyone to be the best neighbor he or she could be. That’s a pretty powerful statement when you think about it.
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (20 Feet from Stardom), Won’t You Be My Neighbor? takes an intimate look at America’s favorite neighbor: Mister Fred Rogers. A portrait of a man whom we all think we know, this emotional and moving film takes us beyond the zip-up cardigans and the land of make-believe, and into the heart of a creative genius who inspired generations of children with compassion and limitless imagination.
Be sure to follow the adventures on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
CAPTIVE STATE
August 17, 2018
Director: Rupert Wyatt (“The Rise of the Planet of the Apes” “The Escapist” “The Gambler)
Writers: Erica Beeney (“The Battle of Shaker Heights”) and Rupert Wyatt
Cast: John Goodman, Ashton Sanders, Jonathan Majors,
Colson Baker, Vera Farmiga
Story: Set in a Chicago neighborhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extra-terrestrial force, “Captive State” explores the lives on both sides of the conflict – the collaborators and dissidents.
THE LITTLE STRANGER
August 31, 2018
Director: Lenny Abrahamson (“Room”)
Writer: Lucinda Coxon (“The Danish Girl”), based on the novel by Sarah Waters
Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson, Will Poulter, and Charlotte Rampling
Story: THE LITTLE STRANGER tells the story of Dr Faraday, the son of a housemaid, who has built a life of quiet respectability as a country doctor. During the long hot summer of 1948, he is called to a patient at Hundreds Hall, where his mother once worked. The Hall has been home to the Ayres family for more than two centuries. But it is now in decline and its inhabitants – mother, son and daughter – are haunted by something more ominous than a dying way of life. When he takes on his new patient, Faraday has no idea how closely, and how disturbingly, the family’s story is about to become entwined with his own.
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FOCUS FEATURES ACQUIRES WORLDWIDE RIGHTS TO COMING-OF-AGE DRAMA BOY ERASED;
NICOLE KIDMAN, RUSSELL CROWE, LUCAS HEDGES TO STAR WITH DIRECTOR JOEL EDGERTON
IN ADAPTATION OF GARRARD CONLEY MEMOIR
Boy Erased
Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights to Boy Erased, the coming-of-age and coming-out drama from writer/director Joel Edgerton based on Boy Erased: A Memoir of Identity, Faith, and Family by Garrard Conley. Academy Award nominee Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea) will star opposite Academy Award winners Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman. The movie will be produced by Anonymous Content and will begin production this fall for a 2018 theatrical release.
The film will tell the story of Jared (to be portrayed by Mr. Hedges), the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who is outed to his parents (Ms. Kidman and Mr. Crowe) at age 19. Jared is quickly pressured into attending a gay conversion therapy program – or else be shunned by his family, friends, and church. It is within the program that Jared comes into conflict with its head therapist (Mr. Edgerton).
“I’m excited to work with an ensemble of actors, seasoned and new, to bring Garrard’s story to the screen. I think Focus is the perfect partner on this, and I will always thank Garrard for trusting my passion for his life story. I can’t think of a better reason to get behind the camera again,” said Mr. Edgerton.
Boy Erased is being produced by Mr. Edgerton and Anonymous Content’s Kerry Kohansky-Roberts and Steve Golin, an Academy Award-winning producer of Best Picture Oscar winner Spotlight. Executive-producing the film are Rebecca Yeldham, Ann Ruark, and Anonymous Content’s Kim Hodgert and Tony Lipp. Josh McLaughlin, recently promoted to Focus president of production, will supervise the project for the company.
Mr. Conley’s book was first published last year by Penguin Random House, and was issued earlier this year in paperback. Mr. Edgerton has written the screenplay adaptation; Boy Erased will be his second feature as director following the sleeper hit The Gift (also produced by Ms. Yeldham), which earned him a Directors Guild of America Award nomination. He was recently a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award nominee for his performance in Focus’ Loving.
Focus Features was honored in 2012 by Point Foundation, the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students of merit, with its Point Inspiration Award, given to a company or organization that champions respect and inclusion of the LGBT community and operates with the vision that investing in today’s potential will produce a brighter tomorrow.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2017, Focus Features has made and released Academy Award-winning LGBT-themed films including Beginners, Dallas Buyers Club, The Danish Girl, Milk, and Brokeback Mountain, the company’s all-time top-grosser.
Mr. Kujawski commented, “Garrard’s story is both timely and timeless, both personal and universal. It is a story which will not only deeply move people, but one that we hope will change outlooks. We are thrilled to work once again with Joel, and with the Anonymous Content team. These filmmakers’ passion for this heart-rending project speaks to all of us at Focus, and to why we make the movies we do.”
November 2, 2018 (Limited)
Director: Josie Rourke (artistic director of The Donmar Warehouse)
Writer: Beau Willimon (“The Ides of March,” “House of Cards)
based on My Heart is My Own: The Life of Mary Queen of Scots by John Guy
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn, Gemma Chan, Martin Compston, Ismael Cordova, Brendan Coyle, Ian Hart, Adrian Lester, James McArdle, with David Tennant, and Guy Pearce
Story: “Mary, Queen of Scots” explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart. Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth 1. Each young Queen beholds her “sister” in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth’s sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones – and change the course of history.
ON THE BASIS OF SEX
TBD
Director: Mimi Leder (“Deep Impact,” “The Leftovers)
Writer: Daniel Stiepleman
Cast: Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Kathy Bates, Sam Waterston, Jack Reynor, and Cailee Spaeny
Story: The film tells an inspiring and spirited true story that follows young lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she teams with her husband Marty to bring a groundbreaking case before the Supreme Court and overturn a century of gender discrimination. The feature will premiere in 2018 in line with Justice Ginsburg’s 25th anniversary on the Supreme Court.
JOHNNY ENGLISH 3
TBD
Director: David Kerr (“Inside No. 9”)
Writer: William Davies (“Johnny English,” “Johnny English Reborn”)
Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Olga Kurylenko, Ben Miller, and Emma Thompson
Story: In “Johnny English 3”, a new adventure begins when a cyber attack blows the cover of all active undercover agents in Britain and its mastermind threatens the world with further disruption. The secret service can now rely on only one man – Johnny English. Currently teaching at a minor prep school, English is called back to duty to find the wily hacker and swan-dives head first into action. But for this mission to succeed, it will take all of his skills – what few he has – as the man with yesterday’s analogue methods faces off with tomorrow’s digital technology.
About Focus Features
Focus Features acquires and produces specialty films for the global market, and holds a library of iconic movies from fearless filmmakers. Current and upcoming domestic releases from Focus include the real-life story of heroism The Zookeeper’s Wife, directed by Niki Caro and starring Jessica Chastain;Colin Trevorrow’s The Book of Henry, starring Naomi Watts, Jaeden Lieberher, and Jacob Tremblay; Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled, winner of the Best Director award at the 2017 Cannes International Film Festival; the breakneck action thriller Atomic Blonde, directed by David Leitch and starring Charlize Theron and James McAvoy; Victoria & Abdul, directed by Stephen Frears and starring Judi Dench as Queen Victoria; Darkest Hour, directed by Joe Wright and starring Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill; the untitled Entebbe project, a gripping political thriller directed by José Padilha and starring Rosamund Pike and Daniel Brühl; Jason Reitman’s new comedy Tully, starring Charlize Theron and written by Diablo Cody; and the untitled new film from Paul Thomas Anderson starring Daniel Day-Lewis.
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