Greenwich Entertainment Acquires Period Thriller ‘The Critic’ Starring Ian McKellen

EXCLUSIVE: Greenwich Entertainment has acquired North American rights to The Critic, a period thriller starring Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings franchise), which adapts Anthony Quinn’s novel Curtain Call.

Directed by Anand Tucker (Hilary and Jackie) from a script by Academy Award nominee Patrick Marber (Closer), the film will release in theaters on September 13th, concurrent with Lionsgate & True Brit Entertainment’s wide release in the UK.

Set in London in 1934, the film follows Jimmy Erskine (McKellen), the most feared theatre critic of his age.  He lives as flamboyantly as he writes and takes pleasure in savagely taking down any actor who fails to meet his standards. When the owner of the Daily Chronicle newspaper dies, and his son David Brooke (Mark Strong) takes over, Jimmy quickly finds himself at odds with his new boss and his position under threat. In an attempt to preserve the power and influence he holds so sacred, Jimmy strikes a faustian pact with struggling actress Nina Land (Gemma Arterton), entangling them and Brooke in a thrilling but deadly web of desire, blackmail and betrayal.

A Fearless Minds, BK Studios & Seven Stories production, The Critic also stars Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone), Alfred Enoch (Harry Potter), Romola Garai (One Life) and Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread). The film was produced by Jolyon Symonds for Fearless Minds, alongside Bill Kenwright and David Gilbery for BK Studios. Exec producers include Mark Gordon, Zygi Kamasa, Naomi George, Tom Butterfield and Harry White.

In a statement to Deadline, pic’s director Tucker said, “It’s been an incredible privilege working with Ian McKellen to capture his mesmerizing performance as Jimmy ‘The Beast’ Erskine. In Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong, Lesley Manville, Ben Barnes, Romola Garai and Alfie Enoch I have been blessed to work with an incredibly talented and generous ensemble of actors, and I hope audiences will be thrilled by their work as much as I have.”

Added producers Gilbery and Symonds, “We are truly delighted that Greenwich Entertainment will be bringing The Critic to North American cinemas nationwide on September 13th in tandem with True Brit Entertainment & Lionsgate’s wide theatrical release in the UK. It’s been a truly wonderful experience collaborating with Anand to bring his vision for this classic Patrick Marber screenplay to life. We also want to pay tribute to our friend and fellow Producer Bill Kenwright who we unfortunately lost last year. He was incredibly proud of this film and its amazing cast.”

Greenwich’s Andy Bohn negotiated the acquisition with Culmination’s Harry White, UTA Independent, and CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.