Bleecker Street has secured U.S. distribution rights to director Michael Noer’s fact-based drama “Papillon” starring Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek, the company announced Tuesday.
Based on two best-selling memoirs, “Papillon” follows Henri “Papillon” Charrière (Hunnam), a safecracker from the Parisian underworld who is framed for murder and condemned to life in the notorious penal colony on Devil’s Island.
Determined to regain his freedom, he forms an unlikely alliance with quirky convicted counterfeiter Louis Dega (Malek), who agrees to finance Papillon’s
escape in exchange for protection, ultimately resulting in a bond of lasting friendship.
The story inspired a beloved 1973 movie starring Steve McQueen as Papillon and Dustin Hoffman as Dega. The film earned an Oscar nomination for Jerry Goldsmith’s score.
The film had its world premiere at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. Producers included Joey McFarland, David Koplan, Ram Bergman and Roger Corbi.
“Michael and the production team have created an epic retelling of Henri
Charrière’s original autobiography,” Bleecker Street CEO Andrew Karpen said in a statement.
Noer added, “I’m so thrilled that Papillon has found a home with
Bleecker Street for distribution. Charlie, Rami and the entire cast have worked so hard to bring a new take on a classic story.”