Natalie Portman‘s turn as Jackie Kennedy is coming home to America thanks to Fox Searchlight.
The independent film company purchased the U.S. distribution rights to the Pablo Larraín drama on the heels of public and industry screenings at the Toronto Film Festival. “Jackie” opens stateside on Dec. 9.
“Jackie” debuted at the Venice Film Festival to rave reviews, for both Portman’s portrayal of the iconic First Lady and Larraín’s unconventional take on the biopic. It portrays the construction of the mythical Camelot, a nickname for President John F. Kennedy’s administration, through the eyes of Jackie during and after her husband’s assassination.
“‘Jackie’ is a daring, one-of-a-kind cinematic portrayal of a beloved icon. Led by an indelible performance from Natalie Portman and supported by a richly talented ensemble of actors and artists, the film is one we are thrilled to bring to audiences later this year,” Searchlight Co-Presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley said in a statement.
“It is a personal achievement for me to have them bring this very special story of a beautiful, sophisticated and mysterious woman to the world. Jackie was the most unknown of the known women of the 20th century,” Larraín added.
Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, John Hurt and Peter Sarsgaard costar. Juan De Dios Larraín, Darren Aronofsky, Mickey Liddell, Scott Franklin and Ari Handel served as producers.
The deal was led by Fox Searchlight’s Executive Vice President of Business Affairs Megan O’Brien and Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Co-Productions Ray Strache, and CAA, which also packaged and arranged the film’s financing, and Mickey Liddell on behalf of LD Entertainment.
Larraín and Noah Oppenheim are represented by CAA and Management 360. Portman is represented by CAA.