The fourth film in “The Trip” franchise, “The Trip to Greece,” starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon and directed by Michael Winterbottom, has been acquired for U.S. distribution by IFC Films, IFC announced Friday. The distributor is planning a summer 2020 release.
This comes as no surprise, as IFC Films has released all three of the previous movies in “The Trip” franchise, including the original from 2010, “The Trip to Italy” in 2014 and “The Trip to Spain” in 2017.
Coogan and Brydon — who play themselves in the scripted travel-themed film series — reunite yet again for more meals with expensive, gourmet dishes along with more conversation and more impressions of British luminaries.
Here’s the official synopsis:
When Odysseus left Troy it took him 10 years to get back to his home in Ithaca. Steve and Rob have only six days on their own personal odyssey in “The Trip to Greece.” On the way they argue about tragedy and comedy, astronomy and biology, myth, history, democracy and the meaning of life! Featuring locations such as: Temple of Apollo at Delphi, the Ancient Agora of Athens, the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, the unique island of Hydra, the Caves of Diros, Nestor’s Palace, Niokastro Fortress in Pylos, and Ancient Stagira, as well as a lot of shooting in restaurants and hotels in Athens, Hydra, Lesvos, Chalkidiki, Pelion, Kavala, and at the Peloponnese.
The Sky original film is produced by Melissa Parmenter and Josh Hyams for Revolution Films.
“We have traveled all over Europe with Steve, Rob, and Michael in what is the most successful and tasty independent franchise and we can’t wait to present U.S. audiences with the latest trip to Greece,” Arianna Bocco, EVP of acquisitions and productions of IFC Films said in a statement.
“We’re so thrilled to add the fourth installment of a really successful franchise for IFC Films. It seems fitting as we enter our 20th year as a distributor to be able to join forces with such a central director in the IFC story,” Lisa Schwartz, co-president of IFC Films said in a statement.
Winterbottom’s latest film “Greed” starring Coogan opened at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year and will be released in 2020 by Sony Pictures Classics.
The deal for the film was negotiated by Arianna Bocco of IFC Films with Tristan Whalley of Goalpost on behalf of the filmmakers.
The pre-sales to date include the following: Madman Entertainment for Australia, Non Stop for Scandinavia, Elevation Pictures for Canada, Front Row for Middle East, Challan for South Korea, Filmtrade for Greece, and California Filmes for Latin America and Cinesky for Global Airlines.