Modern Persuasion

Source: Myriad Pictures

Modern Persuasion

Myriad Pictures announced on Wednesday (September 30) that Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired US rights to rom-com Modern Persuasion starring Alicia Witt.

Alex Appel and Jonathan Lisecki directed the Jane Austen adaptation from Tangerine Entertainment and Tortyfly Pictures, based on a screenplay by Lisecki (Gayby) and Barbara Radecki (Expecting).

Witt (TIFF selection I Care A Lot, Orange Is The New Black, Two Weeks Notice), stars with Shane McRae (The Help, Still Alice, The Adjustment Bureau) and Bebe Neuwirth (Jumanji franchise, How to Lose A Guy In 10 Days) in the contemporary tale about a New York workaholic whose firm is hired by an old flame.

Samuel Goldwyn Films will release Modern Persuasion in December.

Myriad Pictures president and CEO Kirk D’Amico said: “We are delighted to continue to be working with The Samuel Goldwyn Films company with whom we enjoy a good and sustained relationship. We think that they are the perfect company to release this charming and funny adaptation of the Jane Austen novel.”

Myriad Pictures handles international sales and launched talks with buyers at virtual Cannes. Pacific Northwest Pictures will release the film in Canada.

Tangerine Entertainment, founded by Amy Hobby and Anne Hubbell, works exclusively with female-identifying directors and focuses on strong roles for women. Recent credits include Paint It Black, 2018 Tribeca Film Festival winner Keep The Change, and Lucky Them starring Toni Collette.

Tortyfly Pictures is a female-driven production company founded by Appel. Modern Persuasion is Tortyfly’s inaugural feature.