Cannes Market Dailies

Richard E. Grant (upcoming The Hitman’s Bodyguard, Logan, Jackie), Jeremy Irvine (upcoming Billionaire Boys Club, War Horse) and Golden Globe nominee Sam Neill (upcoming Thor: Ragnarok, Hunt For The Wilderpeople, Jurassic Park) have joined Roger Donaldson (The Bank Job, The Recruit, The World’s Fastest Indian) who, subject to final negotiation, will direct the historical action drama The Guinea Pig Club written by Mike Riddell (The Insatiable Moon), it was announced today by Radiant Films International’s Mimi Steinbauer.

Tim Sanders (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Whale Rider) is producing for Field Theory and film executive Penny Wolf is Executive Producer. The film is planned to shoot in New Zealand in early 2018.

Steinbauer’s company will handle worldwide rights excluding Australia and New Zealand, and will launch sales at the upcoming 2017 Cannes Market.

The Guinea Pig Club tells the remarkable true story of maverick surgeon Archie McIndoe (Grant) who, at the height of World War II, defied the British establishment with his radical methods aimed at healing the severely burned bodies – and more importantly the tortured souls – of Britain's heroic Royal Air Force pilots. In so doing he risks his career, his reputation and his marriage.

“The Guinea Pig Club is an uplifting and heroic story, coupled with moments of humor to deliver a thoroughly entertaining experience. We are eager to present this project to our buyers at the Cannes Market,” commented Steinbauer.  “I am also delighted to be collaborating with producers Tim Sanders and the magnificent Roger Donaldson,” Steinbauer continued.

Tim Sanders is the New Zealand based producer whose filmography includes Peter Jackson’s The Frighteners for Universal Pictures and the four-time Academy Award winning film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring for New Line Cinema, which grossed $860M worldwide. Sanders’ additional credits include the BAFTA winner and Academy Award nominated film Whale Rider.

Field Theory is a New Zealand company with a production focus on high-end film and television for the international market. Independently, the team has produced some of New Zealand’s most successful feature films and television series including Top of the Lake and Top of the Lake: China Girl (special screening in Cannes 2017), Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Whale Rider, Rain, Black Sheep, The Strength of Water, No. 2, Perfect Creature and Topless Women Talk About Their Lives.

Roger Donaldson is the award-winning director of such high-grossing films as No Way Out starring Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman, Cocktail with Tom Cruise, New Line Cinema’s Thirteen Days starring Kevin Costner, The World’s Fastest Indian starring Anthony Hopkins and the soon-to-be released feature doc McLaren. Donaldson also directed Lionsgate’s The Bank Job, Buena Vista’s The Recruit with Al Pacino and Colin Farrell, The November Man with Pierce Brosnan.

Richard E. Grant most recently appeared in 20th Century Fox’s/Marvel’s superhero film Logan with Hugh Jackman and Fox Searchlight’s Oscar nominated Jackie starring Natalie Portman. His additional credits include HBO’s award-winning series “Game of Thrones” and the Academy Award winning film Gosford Park.

Jeremy Irvine gained international recognition for his role in Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award nominated film War Horse. He has also appeared in the BBC’s Great Expectations with Ralph Fiennes, The Weinstein Co.’ The Railway Man starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, and Sony’s Now is Good co-starring Dakota Fanning. Coming up next for Irvine is Billionaire Boys Club starring alongside Taron Egerton, Emma Roberts, and Kevin Spacey, and The Professor and the Madman with Sean Penn, Mel Gibson, and Natalie Dormer.

Sam Neill is the internationally recognized actor whose credits include Steven Spielberg’s three-time Academy Award winning blockbuster Jurassic Park and Jane Campion’s three-time Academy Award winning film The Piano. Additionally, he received three Golden Globe nominations for his work on NBC’s “Merlin”, CBS’s “One Against the Wind” and HBO’s “Reilly: Ace of Spies”. Neill will next be seen in Disney/Marvel’s superhero film Thor: Ragnarok.