Saban Films has acquired North American rights to Martin Owen’s “Twist,” the company announced on Monday. From a script written by John Wrathall (“Good,” “The Liability”), the modern take on Charles Dickens’ classic Oliver Twist stars Academy Award winner Michael Caine (“The Dark Knight” series), Golden Globe Award nominee Lena Headey (“Game of Thrones,” “Fighting with My Family”), Rita Ora (“Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” “Fifty Shades of Grey” franchise), Raff Law (“Repo Men”) and Sophie Simnett (“The Lodge,” “Daybreak”).
“Twist” is produced by Noel Clarke and Jason Maza for Unstoppable along with Pure Grass Films’ Ben Grass and Knuckle Sandwich’s Matt Williams. The film is co-produced by Sky. Saban Films will release the film theatrically Q1 of 2021.
Set in contemporary London, “Twist” follows a gifted graffiti artist who is lured into a street gang headed by a father figure, Fagin, who plans a series of audacious art thefts.
Bill Bromiley and Jonathan Saba negotiated the deal for Saban Films along with John Fremes from Arclight Films. Arclight Films is handling worldwide rights. Financiers include MEP Capital, Blue Rider, Arclight and Lipsync Productions.
This marks Saban Films’ fourth acquisition during the American Film Market with previous titles including: Nicol Paone’s “Friendsgiving” with Malin Akerman, Kat Dennings, Chelsea Peretti, Jane Seymour and Aisha Tyler; Jason Lei Howden’s “Guns Akimbo” starring Daniel Radcliffe; and John Suits’ “Breach” starring Bruce Willis.