Kevin Macdonald 1

Source: Kevin Macdonald

Kevin Macdonald

STXfilms has picked up US rights to director Kevin Macdonald’s upcoming legal thriller starring Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim, Shailene Woodley and Benedict Cumberbatch. 

STXinternational acquired international rights to the film - originally known as Prisoner 760 but now untitled - last year and is also set to distribute in the UK and Ireland. 

Produced by 30WEST, Topic Studios and BBC Films, the film is based on Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s memoir Guantánamo Diary and tells the story of a US government prisoner who allies with a defense attorney and a military prosecutor to pursue justice. 

Macdonald directs from a screenplay by Michael Bronner and Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani. Production wrapped earlier this year in South Africa. 

Cumberbatch is producing with Adam Ackland and Leah Clarke for their SunnyMarch company, together with Lloyd Levin and Beatriz Levin for Shadowplay Features, Mark Holder and Christine Holder for Wonder Street, Branwen Prestwood-Smith and Michael Bronner. 

Executive Producers are 30WEST principals Micah Green, Dan Steinman and Dan Friedkin, Topic Studios’ Maria Zuckerman, Ryan Heller and Michael Bloom, BBC Films’ Rose Garnett, Jim Reeve and Robert Halmi for Great Point Media and Zak Kilberg and Russell Smith for Convergent Media. 

Adam Fogelson, chairman of the STXfilms motion picture group, said: “We are proud to partner with 30West, Topic Studios and BBC Films on this extraordinary and important true story. The film features memorable performances by Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim, Shailene Woodley, who we have the pleasure of working with again, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Kevin has made a powerful and thought-provoking drama and a great legal thriller that we are excited to share with audiences in the US and around the world through our international distribution partners.”