Andrew Garfield is set to portray the acclaimed concert pianist James Rhodes in a musical biopic about his life called “Instrumental,” Lionsgate UK announced Wednesday
Lionsgate will handle worldwide sales on the movie at the Cannes Film Festival, and Lionsgate UK has acquired the British rights.
James Marsh (“The Theory of Everything”) will direct Garfield in the biopic based on Rhodes’ memoir “Instrumental: A Memoir of Madness, Medication and Music.” It will tell the story of how the pianist struggled with mental and physical disabilities, PTSD, eating disorders and spinal damage as a result of sexual abuse at the hands of a teacher when he was a child.
Production will start on “Instrumental” later this year.
Debra Hayward and Alison Owen of Monumental Pictures will produce “Instrumental.” This continues Monumental’s relationship with Lionsgate UK, who will release Coky Giedroyc’s “How To Build A Girl” starring Beanie Feldstein in 2019.
“We are thrilled to be working with Debra and Alison again, adding another esteemed British project to our slate. Debra and Alison have a reputation for producing quality British features which equals our championing of British talent and dedication to producing and releasing British Films,” Zygi Kamasa, CEO of Lionsgate UK said in a statement.
Garfield can be seen this year in A24’s “Under the Silver Lake.”
Deadline was first to report.