Miramax acquires US distribution rights to Mr Holmes

Miramax has acquired all US distribution rights to Mr Holmes and will partner with Roadside Attractions on domestic theatrical distribution of the film.

Directed by Oscar-winner Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters, Kinsey), Mr Holmes stars Ian McKellen and Laura Linney.

The film, based on the novel A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin and adapted for the screen by Jeffrey Hatcher, is currently in post-production.

Thomas J. Barrack, Jr., chairman of Miramax, described the feature as “a smart, exciting film”.

Producers are Anne Carey of Archer Gray Productions and Iain Canning and Emile Sherman of See-Saw Films (The King’s Speech, Shame).

Executive producers are Aviv Giladi and Len Blavatnik of AI Film, Christine Langan on behalf of BBC Films, which is also co-financing the film, and Amy Nauiokas for Archer Gray Productions.

This film begins in 1947 when an aging Sherlock Holmes (McKellen) returns from Japan, where, in search of a plant with powerful restorative qualities, he has witnessed the devastation of nuclear warfare.

Now in his remote seaside farmhouse Holmes faces the end of his days tending to his bees with only the company of his housekeeper (Linney) and her young son, Roger.

Grappling with the diminishing powers of his mind, Holmes comes to rely upon the boy as he revisits an unsolved case which forced him into retirement, and searches for answers to the mysteries of life and love – before it’s too late. 

Additional cast includes Hattie Morahan, Patrick Kennedy, Hiroyuki Sanada, Roger Allam, Philip Davis, Frances de la Tour and Milo Parker, who plays Roger, the housekeeper’s son.

Zanne Devine, Miramax’s evp of production and development, oversaw the acquisition on behalf of the studio with Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff from Roadside, and Graham Taylor of WME negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers.

FilmNation Entertainment is the international sales agent for the film.