Deadline reports an all-star cast for The Critic, a period thriller of “blackmail, deceit and murder.” Starring in the film from director Anand Tucker (Hilary and Jackie) will be Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings), Gemma Arterton (Summerland) and Mark Strong (1917) as the principle trio.
The Critic is set in “1934 London, McKellen plays Jimmy Erskine, the most feared drama critic in town—with Arterton as Nina Land, the actress determined to win his favor. When Jimmy finds himself in the crosshairs of his newspaper’s new owner, David Brooke (Strong), Nina becomes entangled in a dangerous web of blackmail, deceit and murder.”
The film is based on the novel Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn. Also starring in the film will be Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread), Romola Garai (Suffragette), Ben Barnes (Westworld) and Alfred Enoch (Foundation).
The Critic is adapted by Patrick Marber (Notes on a Scandal). Jolyon Symonds created the project and is co-producing through his company Fearless Minds alongside Tucker and his Seven Stories as well as BKStudios’ Bill Kenwright and David Gilbery. Production is taking place in London.
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