Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired worldwide rights to ALL IS TRUE, directed by Kenneth Branagh.
This original screenplay reveals a dramatic and little known period in the final years of William Shakespeare. Branagh is the playwright, Judi Dench is his wife Anne, and Ian McKellen plays the Earl of Southampton.
The year is 1613, Shakespeare is acknowledged as the greatest writer of the age. But disaster strikes when his renowned Globe Theatre burns to the ground, and devastated, Shakespeare returns to Stratford, where he must face a troubled past and a neglected family.
Haunted by the death of his only son Hamnet, he struggles to mend the broken relationships with his wife and daughters. In so doing, he is ruthlessly forced to examine his own failings as husband and father. His very personal search for the truth uncovers secrets and lies within a family at war.
Branagh has long wanted to explore this forgotten and critical period of Shakespeare’s life. It is a natural and exciting evolution in his career-long passion for the man’s work.
This is screenwriter Ben Elton’s first original drama.
Amongst the exceptional creative team are Production Designer James Merifield (MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS), Director of Photography Zac Nicholson (THE DEATH OF STALIN), Costume Designer Michael O’Connor (JANE EYRE), Hair and Makeup Designer Vanessa White (BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY), Editor Úna Ní Dhonghaíle (THE CROWN), Casting Directors Lucy Bevan & Emily Brockmann (BEAUTY & THE BEAST) and Composer Patrick Doyle (Oscar nominated for SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and HAMLET).
The film is produced by Tamar Thomas and Ted Gagliano. Executive producers are Judy Hofflund, Matt Jenkins, Becca Kovacik, and Laura Berwick.
Sony Pictures Classics stated, “We have known and worked with Ken for twenty five years. We feel this is a movie he was destined to make. He conjures up for us the depth and dramatic richness of a character about whom we have always been fascinated. What we have seen has confirmed our excitement to plan a qualifying run at the end of this year and to open the movie fully in the new year. We believe audiences will embrace the freshness of ALL IS TRUE.”
The film will have a one-week year-end awards qualifying run in New York and Los Angeles on December 21, followed by an official film release in 2019.