StudioCanal, SunnyMarch, Shoebox Films and Film4 have announced an expected release date of the second half of 2021 for The Electrical Life of Louis Wain [+lire aussi :
bande-annonce
fiche film]. Will Sharpe’s sweeping tale stars Oscar nominee Benedict Cumberbatch as British artist Louis Wain, famous for his distinctive paintings of large-eyed cats that inspired hearts and minds around the world. Wain is depicted as a loveable, inspirational hero with a courageous and infectious spirit, who saw the world in a unique and delightful way throughout his long life full of adventure, inspiring people to do the same. In this extraordinary true story, the artist is inspired by the world around him and the love of his life, Emily, played by BAFTA nominee Claire Foy.

The long-gestating project has been in development with SunnyMarch and Shoebox for a number of years. A version of the script, written by Simon Stephenson, appeared on the Brit List in 2014. Stephenson retains a writing credit on the new version, alongside Sharpe.

Sharpe’s debut feature, Black Pond [+lire aussi :
bande-annonce
interview : Will Sharpe et Tom Kingsley
fiche film], which he co-directed with Tom Kingsley, was nominated for a BAFTA in 2012. He is best known for helming the Channel 4 black-comedy series Flowers, starring Olivia Colman and Julian Barratt, which first aired in 2016 and returned for a second series in 2018.

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is being produced by SunnyMarch (a UK-based film and TV production company founded by producers Adam Ackland, Benedict Cumberbatch and Adam Selves) and Shoebox Films (a London-based production company run by Guy Heeley, Paul Webster and Joe Wright), and is being financed by StudioCanal and Film4.

StudioCanal will release the movie in its territories – the UK, France, Germany and Australia/New Zealand – and will also sell it worldwide. Amazon Studios will oversee the release in the USA.