STUDIOCANAL have announced today that they will co-finance See-Saw Films' Macbeth directed by Justin Kurzel (Snowtown) and starring Michael Fassbender (Shame) & Oscar Winner Natalie Portman (Black Swan).
Academy Award Winner Iain Canning and Emile Sherman of See-Saw Films (The King's Speech, Shame) will produce.
Pre-Production will commence at the end of the year with principal photography in the UK in January 2014. See-Saw have developed the project alongside Film4. Film4 and STUDIOCANAL will co-finance the production.
STUDIOCANAL will distribute Macbeth in the UK, France & Germany handling International Sales, which will commence at the Cannes market.
STUDIOCANAL Chairman and CEO Olivier Courson said "We are very pleased to be financing Macbeth which deftly brings contemporary themes to an iconic story. Justin Kurzel is a rare and distinct talent all of us at STUDIOCANAL have admired for some time and are happy to be able to accompany him in this film.
"We are also thrilled to be working with the great producing team at See-Saw who have brought together such wonderful talent including Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman. We look forward to distributing the film in our European territories and commencing international sales this coming week at Cannes"
Iain Canning and Emile Sherman add "STUDIOCANAL and FILM4 are the perfect partners for us on Macbeth, having responded so quickly and passionately to the material. Like us, they are committed to Justin Kurzel's energetic and modern themed take on a timeless story.
"With Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman, we have two of the finest actors of their generation, playing two of the most celebrated roles of all time. We couldn't be more excited."
Tessa Ross, Head of Film4, comments "We're delighted to be partnering with our great colleagues at See-Saw and at STUDIOCANAL on this wonderful project. Justin is an exceptional director and the prospect of his visceral and urgent work, together with the work of these two extraordinary performers, is very exciting."
Macbeth is the story of a fearless warrior and inspiring leader brought low by ambition and desire.
A thrilling interpretation of the dramatic realities of the times and a truthful reimagining of what wartime must have really been like for one of Shakespeare's most famous and compelling characters, a story of all-consuming passion and ambition set in war torn 11th Century Scotland.
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