Netflix acquires Danny Boyle’s Rupert Murdoch film Ink
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Netflix has acquired the US and Latin American rights to "Ink", Danny Boyle's film about the early years of Rupert Murdoch's media empire, shortly after it was named the opening film of the 83rd Venice Film Festival. With the deal in place, the film has now sold in every territory worldwide, making it one of the most sought-after festival titles ahead of its premiere and marking a high-profile addition to Netflix's awards-season slate.
Written by James Graham and based on his Tony-nominated stage play, "Ink" is set in 1969 and dramatises how Rupert Murdoch and editor Larry Lamb transformed The Sun into the world's biggest-selling newspaper, starring Jack O'Connell as Lamb, Guy Pearce as Murdoch and Claire Foy as Jules Davies. The film, produced by Studiocanal, Media Res and House Productions, reunites Boyle with his "Slumdog Millionaire" producer Tessa Ross, and Studiocanal will handle theatrical release in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Benelux, Australia and New Zealand. "Ink" will have its world premiere in competition at Venice on 2 September, opening the festival's 83rd edition.
- Netflix buys US/Latin America rights to Boyle's Murdoch drama "Ink"
- Film now sold worldwide, opens Venice Film Festival on 2 September
- Stars O'Connell, Pearce and Foy in story of The Sun's rise
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Rupert Murdoch is an Australian-born media owner whose companies have controlled newspapers, television channels and other outlets in several countries. His British newspaper group bought the struggling Sun in 1969, a period when national newspapers had a major influence on public debate and popular culture.
The Sun was reshaped under editor Larry Lamb into a tabloid aimed at a mass audience, using large headlines, celebrity coverage, sport and campaigns. It grew rapidly in circulation and became one of Britain’s most widely read papers, helping establish the approach associated with Murdoch’s later media businesses.
Danny Boyle is a British film director known for films including Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire, while James Graham is a playwright and screenwriter whose work often explores British politics and institutions. The story focuses on a formative moment in the growth of Murdoch’s media empire and the people involved in changing the newspaper.
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Originally published by Variety as “Netflix Buys Danny Boyle’s Rupert Murdoch Movie and Venice Opener ‘Ink’”.