Andrew Adamson To Direct Hugh Laurie In Mister Pip

Andrew Adamson To Direct Hugh Laurie In Mister Pip, An Adaptation Of Best-Selling Novel

LOS ANGELES (April 13, 2011) --- Oscar-nominated writer-director Andrew Adamson, whose Chronicles of Narnia and Shrek series of films have combined for more than $4Billion in worldwide box office, is turning his attention to the tiny island of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, figuratively and literally. Adamson will direct Hugh Laurie, two-time Golden Globe-winning star of the House series, in a filmed adaptation of Mr. Pip, the best-selling novel by New Zealand author Lloyd Jones that Adamson has adapted for the screen. The film, which is set in Bougainville, will be filmed in New Zealand and on location on the island, and Adamson and the producers are planning to start principal photography next month.

Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech (producers/financiers of RABBIT HOLE and BEGINNERS) is joining forces with Robin Scholes’ Eyeworks New Zealand and Agio Capital to co-finance the independent feature film. The New Zealand Film Commission, NZ on Air and New Zealand Television Network TV3 are also investors in the project.

Adamson, Scholes, Urdang and Vanech will produce the film. James Dean of Agio Capital will executive produce along with Daniel Revers (Deer Path Productions), Julie Christie, Tim White and Tim Coddington.

The critically-praised novel Mr. Pip, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize, is a story about courage and the power of the imagination. When the eccentric Mr. Watts (Laurie), the last white man left on the war-torn island of Bougainville is asked to reopen the school, he begins to read the children his favorite novel, Great Expectations. Matilda, a gifted 14-year-old student, conjures the novel’s Victorian characters and befriends Pip who helps her to endure the violence and moral uncertainty of her daily life and inspires Matilda not only to survive but to love, forgive, and celebrate the power of her own voice.

Andrew Adamson said, “I read Mr. Pip on a transatlantic flight and, by the time of landing, knew I would make this film. It's a testament to Lloyd’s wonderful novel that it has captured the hearts of Hugh, Robin, Leslie and an incredible group of like-minded collaborators.”

Hugh Laurie commented, "I am very excited by the prospect of this film. From the first words of the novel, and the first image of the screenplay, I was hooked on Mr. Pip. It's an immensely touching, unique, yet completely unsentimental story of love. It is unlike any script I have read, or any story I have ever heard. Plus I get to go to Papua New Guinea and call it work. I am a very lucky man."

"Olympus Pictures is extremely proud to be making this most distinctive feature with Andrew Adamson, Robin Scholes and Hugh Laurie,” said Olympus’ Leslie Urdang. “Mr. Pip takes us to a place that audiences have never been before to tell a story of imagination, endurance, and hope."

Adamson first optioned Lloyd Jones’ critically praised novel then joined forces with Scholes (ONCE WERE WARRIORS, RAIN) to secure financing, enlisting the help of UTA’s Independent Film Group which is also representing North American rights. Adamson and Eyeworks New Zealand co-financed the development.

Production is slated to begin in May with nearly 50% of filming to be done in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. Focus Features International (FFI) will commence sales in Cannes. The film will be distributed in New Zealand and Australia by Transmission Films and Paramount Pictures.

Project marks Adamson’s first independent feature project. Adamson wrote, directed and/or produced on the blockbuster SHREK franchise films, and he wrote, directed and produced THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN for Disney as well as the first NARNIA film, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. He most recently served as Executive Producer on the fourth SHREK film, SHREK FOREVER AFTER, and as Producer on THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER. He is currently directing and producing an untitled 3D Cirque du Soleil Project in partnership with James Cameron.

The deal was negotiated by Rena Ronson of the UTA Independent Film Group and Leslie Urdang of Olympus Pictures. UTA, who represents Adamson, packaged the film and secured financing while Scholes and Adamson brought the New Zealand funding to the table. Alison Thompson negotiated on behalf of FFI. Adamson is additionally represented by Nelson Davis Wetzstein, LLC. Laurie is represented by WME.

ENDS/

Notes for Editors:

Olympus Pictures was founded in 2007 to produce and finance films at all budget levels. Recent projects include ADAM starring Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne and Peter Gallagher which was released by Fox Searchlight; RABBIT HOLE starring Nicole Kidman for which she was nominated for a 2011 Oscar; and BEGINNERS, written and directed by Mike Mills and starring Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer and Mélanie Laurent, which is set to be released by Focus Features June 3rd 2011. Presently, Olympus is in post-production alongside Likely-Story on THE ORANGES starring Hugh Laurie, Catherine Keener, Leighton Meester, Allison Janney, and Oliver Platt. OP is developing several other projects including a film set to shoot in the fall called WENDY AND THE LOST BOYS, by Jon Robin Baitz and Michael Hoffman.

Agio Capital Corporation (AGIO), the investment and consulting vehicle of James Dean, has a proud history of completing successful boutique venture capital funding for many projects over the last twenty years. Funding raising activities normally vary between $500,000 and $15,000,000. Projects typically funded by AGIO are in the arena of real estate development, mining activities, environmental & renewable energy as well as feature film.

Eyeworks New Zealand is part of the Eyeworks international media group which develops, produces and distributes film and television content in 17 countries. Eyeworks was founded in The Netherlands in 2001 by Reinout Oerlemans. Eyeworks Fiction titles include the Oscar-winning ANTONIA’S LINE, THE ALZHEIMER CASE, STRICKEN, DOSSIER K, THE HAPPY HOUSEWIFE, CRAZY ABOUT YA, DIK TROM, and NEW KIDS TURBO. And, from the New Zealand office, THE TATTOOIST, THE HOPES AND DREAMS OF GAZZA SNELL and LOVEBIRDS.

Focus Features and Focus Features International (www.focusfeatures.com) comprise a singular global company. This worldwide studio makes original and daring films that challenge the mainstream to embrace and enjoy voices and visions from around the world that deliver global commercial success. One of the world’s leading international sales agents, FFI also encompasses international distribution, marketing and publicity. Focus Features and Focus Features International are part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

United Talent Agency is one of the entertainment industry's premier talent and literary agencies, representing many of the world's most widely-known figures in every current and emerging area of entertainment, including motion pictures, television, books, music, digital media and live entertainment. Collectively, UTA agents represent a significant cross-section of today's most acclaimed artists and entertainers, including winners and nominees of Academy, Emmy, Grammy, Screen Actors Guild, Directors Guild, Writers Guild, Producers Guild, Golden Globe and People's Choice awards. The agency is also globally recognized in the areas of film finance, film packaging, corporate consulting, branding & licensing, endorsements and the representation of production talent. UTA also operates New York and Los Angeles-based United Entertainment Group, a joint venture firm focusing on branded entertainment for Fortune 500 companies.

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