'It's The Infinity War of the 1840s,' says film-maker

Armando Iannucci’s version of David Copperfield has secured a UK distributor.

Lionsgate UK have acquired the rights to the film, which stars Dev Patel in the lead role alongside Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, Ben Whishaw, Aneurin Barnard, Morfydd Clark, Anthony Welsh and Rosalind Eleazar.

Earlier this week it was revealed that The Thick Of It star Peter Capaldi had joined the cast as Mr Micawber, the kind-hearted clerk who ends up in debtors’ prison.

Iannucci wrote the script with his frequent collaborator Simon Blackwell, based on Charles Dickens’ novel. Filming is expected to begin in June.

The Personal History of David Copperfield is described as ‘a fresh and distinctive take’ on the book, which ‘chronicles the life of its iconic title character as he navigates a chaotic world to find his elusive place within it, from his unhappy childhood to the discovery of his gift as a storyteller and writer.’

Lionsgate UK’s chief executive Zygi Kamasa said: ‘The combination of Armando’s writing and directing and the source material of a classical masterpiece is a project that is irresistible to us. Add to that a renowned team behind the camera and a diverse and talented cast and you have a film guaranteed to excite audiences to add to our slate."

Iannucci – who is also producing the film with Kevin Loader,with whom he made In The Loop and The Death Of Stalin – added: ‘I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Lionsgate in the UK to be making this wonderful story about poverty and riches, and friendship and loss.

‘With such an amazing and immense cast, David Copperfield is The Infinity War of the 1840s. I’m so glad to be reuniting with many of the talented crew behind ‘he Death of Stalin to make it.’

Published: 10 May 2018