The U.S. distribution rights to Renee Zellweger’s Judy Garland biopic have been by acquired by Roadside Attractions and LD Entertainment, the distributors announced on Thursday.
“Judy” which will be directed by Tony-nominated and two-time Olivier-winner Rupert Goold, is Roadside Attractions and LD Entertainment’s eighth distribution partnership.
Along with Zellweger, “Judy” stars Finn Wittrock (“American Horror Story”), Jessie Buckley (“Beast”) and Michael Gambon (“Harry Potter”).
The script was written by Tom Edge (The Crown) and based on the stage play “End of the Rainbow” by Peter Quilter.
“Judy” will take place in 1968 when “The Wizard of Oz” star arrived in London to perform in a sell-out run of “The Talk of the Town.” As Garland (Zellweger) prepares for the show, battles with management, charms musicians and reminisces with friends and adoring fans, her wit and warmth shine through. Even her dreams of romance seem undimmed as she embarks on a courtship with Mickey Deans, her soon-to-be fifth husband. The film will feature some of her best-known songs, as it celebrates the voice, the capacity for love, and the sheer pizzazz of one of the world’s greatest entertainers.
“Judy Garland remains one of the quintessential legends of stage and screen and this chapter of her life is particularly riveting” LD Entertainment CEO Mickey Liddell and Roadside Attractions co-founders Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff said in a statement. “From the incredible early footage that we saw in Cannes, Renee delivers a remarkable performance. As the first feature film about Judy Garland, we believe Judy will be event movie going for a broad audience and we are thrilled that our enthusiasm and ambition for the film made the difference in acquiring such a hotly pursued Cannes title. We could not be more excited to be partnering again to distribute this film in the United States.”
Principal photography on “Judy” wrapped two weeks ago and the film is scheduled for completion and delivery in 2019.
BAFTA winner David Livingstone produces for Calamity and executive producers include Cameron McCracken for Pathé, Rose Garnett for BBC Films and Andrea Scarso for Ingenious. Pathé is distributing “Judy” in the U.K., France and Switzerland and has handled international sales throughout the rest of the world.
In the negotiation with Pathe, LD Entertainment was represented by Liddell; Roadside Attractions by Cohen; and Pathe by McCracken.