Studiocanal Secures Major Deals at Cannes, Including 'Paddington' Animated Feature and Florence Pugh's 'The Midnight Library'
Studiocanal experienced a highly productive period at the recent Cannes Marche du Film, achieving considerable success with a series of major distribution agreements.
A highlight of their accomplishments was securing a deal valued at over $30 million with Paramount Pictures for the eagerly anticipated film 'The Midnight Library,' which stars and is produced by Florence Pugh. This fantasy drama, an adaptation of Matt Haig’s acclaimed novel, will be directed by Garth Davis and is slated to begin production in early 2027. Studiocanal will manage releases in key European and Oceanic markets, including France, Germany, the UK, and Australia/New Zealand, while partnering with other distributors for releases in Scandinavia, South Africa, and Switzerland. Furthermore, Studiocanal is progressing with pre-sale negotiations for a new animated 'Paddington' feature, complementing a fourth live-action installment for which Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell are developing the script.
Beyond these prominent projects, the studio also successfully distributed several other titles internationally. Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s 'Violette' secured deals with over 20 global distributors following its Cannes debut, and Fred Cavayé’s adaptation of 'Les Misérables' garnered more than 25 international distributors. Other notable sales include the Taron Egerton-led comedy-thriller 'Everybody Wants to F*ck Me,' which found distribution across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, as well as Simon Stone’s 'Elsinore,' featuring Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman, and Danny Boyle’s drama 'Ink,' starring Guy Pearce, Jack O’Connell, and Claire Foy, both of which were sold in over 20 territories. Studiocanal has set release dates for several films, including 'Les Misérables' (October 14 in France) and 'Violette' (December 9), with 'Everybody Wants to F*ck Me' and 'Ink' scheduled for 2027. 'Elsinore' will be released in the US by LD Entertainment and through Studiocanal in other territories in 2027. The company also confirmed multiple deals for its Cannes festival selections, such as Rudi Rosenberg’s 'Words of Love,' Volker Schlöndorff’s 'Visitation,' and Jeanne Herry’s 'Another Day,' with French release dates set for September 23 for 'Another Day' and October 28 for 'Words of Love.'
Studiocanal's strategic focus on a diverse portfolio of high-quality projects, from beloved animated characters to star-studded dramas, positions it strongly within the global film industry. This robust performance at Cannes demonstrates a healthy appetite for their productions and ensures a promising future for their creative endeavors and market reach, fostering greater cinematic diversity and cultural exchange worldwide.
