Focus Features Lands Chloé Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’

Focus Features Lands Chloé Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’

As a devoted film enthusiast with a penchant for exploring diverse narratives, I can hardly contain my excitement over Chloé Zhao’s latest project, “Hamnet”. The woman who brought us the heart-wrenching “Nomadland” and the cosmic spectacle of “Eternals” is now delving into the world of Shakespeare, a true testament to her versatility as a storyteller.


Focus Features has acquired the U.S. distribution rights for director Chloé Zhao’s upcoming film, titled “Hamnet.” This movie features an impressive cast including Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, and Joe Alwyn.

Four production companies – Amblin Partners, Hera Pictures, Neal Street Productions, and Zhao’s Book of Shadows – are supporting a movie adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s historically-themed novel titled after William Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes. In this film, Agnes is portrayed as grieving the loss of her son, Hamnet.

As a fan, I’m thrilled to share that ‘Focus Features’ will bring ‘Hamnet’ to U.S. audiences, while ‘Universal Pictures International’ is responsible for its global release. The acclaimed director, Chloé Zhao – who won an Oscar for her masterpiece ‘Nomadland’ – has penned the screenplay for ‘Hamnet’, collaborating with actor-writer, Joel O’Farrell. The captivating novel ‘Hamnet’ has already sold 2 million copies in both the U.K. and U.S., and been translated into an impressive 40 languages worldwide.

After winning both Best Director and Best Picture Oscars for her movie ‘Nomadland’, Chloe Zhao has moved on to direct and co-write Marvel Studios’ grand sci-fi adventure, ‘Eternals’. Besides being recognized for ‘The Rider’, she is also acknowledged in the film industry for these works.

On the television production of “Hamnet”, credit is given to Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Sam Mendes, and Steven Spielberg. Executive production roles are held by Kristie Macosko Krieger, Nic Gonda, and Laurie Borg.

Focus Features has an exciting lineup coming up, featuring projects such as “Piece by Piece,” an animated biopic by Morgan Neville, a fresh take on “Nosferatu” from Robert Eggers, and Edward Berger’s suspenseful film “Conclave.” Their upcoming releases also include Steven Soderbergh’s crime thriller “Black Bag,” starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender, Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Bugonia” with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, and the third installment of the beloved series “Downton Abbey.”

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2024-08-20 19:25