Danny Boyle’s tabloid drama Ink to open Venice Film Festival
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Danny Boyle's new film "Ink" will open the 83rd Venice Film Festival, premiering in the main competition section when the festival runs from 2 to 12 September 2026. The drama dramatises Rupert Murdoch's acquisition and transformation of The Sun newspaper in 1969, when he installed editor Larry Lamb to turn it into Britain's biggest-selling tabloid, overtaking rival the Mirror.
The film stars Jack O'Connell as Larry Lamb, Guy Pearce as Rupert Murdoch and Claire Foy as Jules Davies, and is written by playwright James Graham, known for "Dear England" and "Sherwood". It is produced by Studiocanal, Media Res and House Productions, with Boyle reuniting with producer Tessa Ross following their earlier collaboration on "Slumdog Millionaire". Studiocanal will release the film theatrically across several territories including the UK, France, Germany and Australia, with Boyle following up his recent film "28 Years Later".
- Boyle's "Ink" to open Venice Film Festival on 2 September 2026
- Drama tells story of Murdoch's transformation of The Sun in 1969
- Stars Jack O'Connell, Guy Pearce and Claire Foy, written by James Graham
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The Sun is a British national newspaper known for its large headlines, popular stories and strong influence on tabloid journalism. In 1969, Australian-born media owner Rupert Murdoch bought the paper and appointed Larry Lamb as editor, aiming to make it appeal to a much wider audience.
Their approach helped The Sun become Britain’s biggest-selling daily newspaper, overtaking the Daily Mirror, its main tabloid rival at the time. The changes were part of a wider shift in Britain’s press, as newspapers competed fiercely for readers and advertising revenue.
Rupert Murdoch later built a global media business with major newspaper, television and publishing interests. The story of his early ownership of The Sun is often seen as an important moment in the development of modern British popular newspapers.
More coverage
- Deadline — Danny Boyle’s ‘Ink’ To Open Venice Film Festival
- The Hollywood Reporter — Danny Boyle’s Rupert Murdoch Drama ‘Ink’ to Open Venice Film Festival
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Originally published by Variety as “Danny Boyle’s ‘Ink,’ Starring Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce and Claire Foy, to Open Venice Film Festival”.