02/11/2012 - Renowned theatre director Michael Grandage to make feature debut

Colin Firth and Michael Fassbender will star in Genius [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], well-known theatre director Michael Grandage’s feature debut. Grandage is Artistic Director of the Michael Grandage Company in London. He was Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse (2002–2012) and Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres (2000–05). He is the recipient of Tony, Drama Desk, Olivier, Evening Standard, Critics’ Circle and South Bank Awards. He has been awarded Honorary Doctorates by both Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam University and is President of Central School of Speech and Drama. He was appointed CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2011. Later this month, his book A Decade At The Donmar is published by Constable & Robins.

John Logan adapted the script from the National Book Award winning biography Max Perkins: Editor of Genius, by A. Scott Berg, that looks at the real-life relationship between author Thomas Wolfe (Fassbender) and editor Max Perkins (Firth). James Bierman produces for the Michael Grandage Company. FilmNation Entertainment is handling international sales. Principal photography will commence in 2014.

Michael Grandage and James Bierman said, “John Logan, Colin Firth and Michael Fassbender is an extraordinary line-up to work with and we are particularly delighted to bring Glen Basner and all at FilmNation onto the team to join us as we move forward. Together, we can all now look ahead to making this project a reality and bring this amazing story to the attention of audiences everywhere.

FilmNation’s Glen Basner said: “Genius promises to be a beautifully performed, electrifying and deeply moving film.”