Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman and Oscar winner Laura Dern star in blue-chip feature film drama The son, writer-director Florian Zeller’s sequel to his Oscar-nominated film The father
Oscar winners Iain Canning and Emile Sherman (The King’s Speech), and Joanna Laurie from See-Saw Films, are co-producing with Christophe Spadone (The father) next to Zeller. Film4 finances the production.
Cross City Films and Embankment launch international sales, with Cross City Films and CAA Media Finance jointly representing US rights.
Adapted by Zeller and Oscar winner Christopher Hampton (dangerous relations), from Zeller’s acclaimed play, The son focuses on Peter (Jackman) as his busy life with new partner Emma and their baby gets confused when his ex-wife Kate (Dern) shows up with their teenage son Nicholas. The young man is troubled, distant and angry, and plays truant from school for months. Striving to be a better father, Peter tries to help his son through those intimate and instinctive moments of family happiness. But the weight of Nicholas’s condition puts the family on a dangerous course.
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Writer-director Zeller said: “The son is a deeply human story that I believe connects us all; I hope the audience will be deeply moved by this family’s journey. Both Hugh and Laura naturally radiate warmth, compassion and vulnerability… and invite our audience to embrace and feel every moment. The story takes place in a vibrant and alive New York, a major character. The movie is supposed to make us call family and friends to tell them that they are completely loved and not alone. “
Zeller is receiving acclaim for his debut film The father, released in the US by Sony Pictures Classics in February. The film, starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman, has won two BAFTAs and has been nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Montage, Production Design, Lead Actor and Supporting Actress.
See-Saw’s Canning and Sherman said, “I’ve been lucky enough to see The father at Sundance 2019, we knew that Florian was a uniquely talented filmmaker. The son is a story that must be told – a story that raises the alarm. By examining the human condition and our vulnerabilities, this film will strike a chord with audiences and leave an indelible mark on everyone who sees it. “
Executive producers are Jackman, Simon Gillis for See-Saw Films, Daniel Battsek, Lauren Dark and Ollie Madden for Film4, Philippe Carcassonne for Ciné- @ and Tim Haslam and Hugo Grumbar for Embankment.
Jackman is represented by WME and Lou Coulson Associates. Dern works with CAA and Untitled Entertainment. Zeller is represented by CAA. Hampton is represented by CAA and Casarotto Ramsay & Associates.