For a few months now there’s been much talk about plans for an Alan Partridge movie. Now it’s been announced that it’s officially moving forward, with Studiocanal signed up to distribute the movie, and shooting and release dates set. Here’s the press release announcing the news:
June 26 2012: STUDIOCANAL today announced their acquisition of UK theatric rights to THE ALAN PARTRIDGE MOVIE, set to shoot from January 7 next year, and confirmed an August 16 2013 opening date for the film in the UK.
Alan Partridge commented, “I’m simultaneously gladdened and pleased to see a British film being co-funded by the French dudes at STUDIOCANAL. This is without doubt the greatest Anglo-French co-operation since the Normandy landings. This time, the heroes aren’t Allied servicemen – they’re motion picture financiers, who are equally brave.
I’d also like to add that ‘canal’ – or, in English, ‘canal’ – is a transportation system close to my heart. In the late 18th century, this new method of logistics halved the price of coal in many English cities. If STUDIOCANAL’s investment can achieve even a fraction of that, I will be delighted.
A Baby Cow/STUDIOCANAL production, backed by BBC Films and supported in development by the BFI Film Fund, THE ALAN PARTRIDGE MOVIE stars Steve Coogan, soon to be seen as renowned club proprietor and porn publisher Paul Raymond (aka the king of Soho) in a STUDIOCANAL Production.
THE ALAN PARTRIDGE MOVIE is written by Peter Baynham, Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci, Neil and Rob Gibbons. Declan Lowney directs his second feature after Wild About Harry, with his TV credits including many episodes of Little Britain and Father Ted. Producers are Kevin Loader and Henry Normal, with Armando Iannucci, Danny Perkins, Joe Oppenheimer and Christine Langan as Executive Producers. Embankment Films are handling international sales.
Alan Partridge has had many ups and downs in his life. National television broadcaster. Responsible for killing a guest on live TV. Local radio broadcaster. A nervous breakdown in Dundee. His self-published book, ‘Bouncing Back’, subsequently remaindered and pulped.
THE ALAN PARTRIDGE MOVIE portrays the events of the greatest low-to-high-ebb spectrum in his life to date specifically how he tries to salvage his public career while negotiating a potentially violent turn of events at North Norfolk Digital Radio.