Michaela Coel and Ian McKellen in 'The Christophers'

Source: Photo credit Claudette Barius

Michaela Coel and Ian McKellen in ‘The Christophers’

Neon has acquired worldwide rights to The Christophers, the Steven Soderbergh-directed comedy drama that had its world premiere at last month’s Toronto International Film Festival. 

Neon will release the film theatrically next year and will represent international sales rights. 

Produced and financed by Department M and written by Ed Solomon, The Christophers stars Michaela Coel, Ian McKellen, Jessica Gunning and James Corden. McKellen plays a onetime star of London’s 1960’s pop art scene who hasn’t painted in decades. His estranged children, desperate for an inheritance, hire an art restorer and former forger to help them access some of their father’s unfinished works. 

The film is produced and financed by Mike Larocca and Michael Schaefer of Department M and produced by Butler & Sklar Productions, with Jim Parks and Iain A Canning serving as producers and Corey Bayes serving as executive producer. CAA Media Finance negotiated the deal with Neon on behalf of the filmmakers. 

The film is the fourth collaboration between Soderbergh and Solomon, after limited series Mosaic and Full Circle and feature No Sudden Move

Neon released Soderbergh’s thriller Presence earlier this year.