Sidney Hall (film)
| Sidney Hall | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Shawn Christensen |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by |
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| Starring | |
| Music by | Darren Morze |
| Cinematography | Daniel Katz |
Production companies |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Sidney Hall is an upcoming American drama film written, produced and directed by Shawn Christensen. The film stars Logan Lerman, Elle Fanning, Michelle Monaghan, Kyle Chandler, Nathan Lane, Blake Jenner, Margaret Qualley and Tim Blake Nelson.
Principal photography of the film began in late April 2016.[1]
Premise
A young novelist, Sidney Hall, writes a generation-defining book that makes him world-famous. This sets him on a downward spiral that destroys him, as he is depicted from the ages of eighteen, twenty-four and thirty.[2]
Cast
- Logan Lerman as Sidney Hall
- Elle Fanning
- Michelle Monaghan
- Kyle Chandler
- Nathan Lane
- Blake Jenner as Brett Newport
- Margaret Qualley
- Tim Blake Nelson
Production
Development
While touring in Asia with his band, Stellastarr, Shawn Christensen wrote a number of short stories that he shared with his friend, Paul Wesley. Alongside Jason Dolan, he compiled the stories into a spec script called Sidney Hall, which Wesley described in an interview as, "one of the most beautiful things [he] ever read in [his] life".[3] Wesley presented the screenplay to his manager at William Morris Endeavor, who signed both Christensen and Dolan.[2] The screenplay for Sidney Hall was first reported to have been acquired through a discretionary fund by Scott Free Productions in 2008.[4] Joe Russo was to direct, Ridley Scott and Tony Scott were to be the executive producers, Michael Costigan was to be the producer and Jim Sturgess was to play the titular character.[5]
After the release of Christensen's feature length directorial debut in 2014, Before I Disappear, he pursued the rights to the Sidney Hall screenplay from Fox Searchlight Pictures, so he could direct the film himself.[2] Fox Searchlight Pictures, as well as Amazon Video, aggressively pursued production of the film, but Christensen opted to have the film independently produced and financed, with Verve Ventures marketing and selling the film, following an anticipated film festival run.[6]
Casting
For casting the titular protagonist that Jim Sturgess was previously attached to portray, Shawn Christensen auditioned a significant number of young male actors, before twenty-four year-old Logan Lerman was cast to play the character during all three stages of his life.[6] On April 13, 2016, Lerman's involvement with the project was revealed, along with Elle Fanning playing opposite of him.[7] On April 21, Michelle Monaghan, Kyle Chandler and Nathan Lane were announced to have joined the principal cast, as well.[6] Variety revealed on April 25 that Blake Jenner, Margaret Qualley and Tim Blake Nelson had joined the cast.[1]
Filming
Principal photography of the film began on April 23, 2016 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 Kroll, Justin (April 25, 2016). "Blake Jenner, Margaret Qualley and Tim Blake Nelson Join ‘Sidney Hall’ (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- 1 2 3 Reynolds, Matthew Wade (December 24, 2014). "How do you convert an Oscar-winning short into a feature?". Creative Screenwriting Magazine. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
- ↑ Radish, Christina (March 12, 2014). "Paul Wesley Talks BEFORE I DISAPPEAR, His First Experience as a Producer, Directing an Episode of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, and More SXSW". Collider.com. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ↑ Kit, Borys (September 10, 2008). "Shawn Christensen sells his "Karma"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
- ↑ Siegel, Tatianna (September 10, 2008). "WB, Lin join Christensen’s "Coalition"". Variety. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Kroll, Justin (April 21, 2016). "Logan Lerman and Elle Fanning to Star in Shawn Christensen’s ‘Sidney Hall’ (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
- ↑ Lyons, Josh (April 13, 2006). "{Exclusive} Logan Lerman and Elle Fanning Join Shawn Christensen's Drama "Sidney Hall"". The Tracking Board. Retrieved April 13, 2016.