Claire Foy and Richard E. Grant are set to lead a new period drama directed by Peter Glanz.
Titled “Savage House,” the eighteenth century black comedy also stars Bel Powley (“A Small Light”) and Jack Farthing (“The Lost Daughter”).
Kila Lord Cassidy (“The Wonder”), Richard McCabe (“Napoleon”), Vicki Pepperdine (“Poor Things”) and Pip Torrens (“The Iron Lady”) round out the cast. The film recently wrapped in the U.K.
“Set against the backdrop of eighteenth century England, a massive pox outbreak, and Jacobite uprising – this is a timely and darkly satirical story of Sir Chauncey Savage (Grant) and Lady Savage (Foy) and their blind pursuit of a better life,” reads the logline. “It is not without a tinge of irony that their family name is the Savages, for this is a Savage House indeed. Filled with duels, decadence, and bloodshed, this is a madcap play on class and power.”
Foy can currently be seen in “All of Us Strangers,” for which she’s been nominated for a supporting actress BAFTA, and the sixth and final season of “The Crown,” where she reprises her role as a young Queen Elizabeth II. Richard E. Grant recently appeard in high society feature “Saltburn,” playing Sir James Catton, as well as starring in “Loki” and Netflix’s adaptation of “Persuasion.”
“Savage House” is Glanz’s sophomore feature, having previously directed “The Longest Week,” which starred Jason Bateman and Olivia Wilde. He has also adapted Byron Janis’ book “Chopin and Beyond: My Extraordinary Life in Music and the Paranormal” for Paramount Pictures and co-written the upcoming Jean-Michel Basquiat biopic “SAMO Lives,” directed by Julius Onah.
“With everything going on in the world right now, it feels criminal to not make a film that’s saying something, that’s shining a spotlight on inequities and inequalities, on the growing class divide and power dynamics,” said Glanz. “But you never want to be prescriptive or academic, that’s why I love period films. They allow us to be a step removed, to look in the mirror and see ourselves (and hopefully laugh at ourselves) without the preconceived baggage of modern life. In 1715, we had a deadly epidemic, a disputed king, extreme inequity (far worse than today), and a polarized society taking to the streets in protest and riots. It felt like a fitting as a backdrop for biting satire and cautionary tale of greed and social climbing.”
“Savage House” is a Record Player Films production with Oliver Roskill (“Under the Shadow”), Mark Hopkins (“Timestalker”) and Glanz producing. “The Crown” cinematographer Adriano Goldman is DOP while “White Lotus” costume designer Alex Bovaird will oversee wardrobe. Production designer Gary Williamson (“Paddington” franchise) and make-up designer Jacquetta Levon (“Saint Maud”) also join the creative team. “Saltburn” casting director Kharmel Cochrane cast the project.
Paramount Global Content Distribution have acquired global rights bar Australia and New Zealand, where the film will be distributed by Kismet Movies. Altitude Films Sales brokered the deal.
Producer Oliver Roskill said: “The world that Peter has created in the script, and then again during the production, is nothing short of outstanding. His ability to weave a deliciously dark yet humorous tale with characters dripping in intrigue makes it impossible to tear your eyes from the screen. Peter is not just knocking at the door of the film industry with this feature, he is kicking it down.”
John Fletcher, managing director at Paramount Pictures U.K., added: “The world that Peter had created literally leapt off the page and made this a must have acquisition for Paramount. And now, we are starting to see Peter’s vision coming together in a truly unique fashion.”
Glanz is repped by CAA and Mosaic Grant by Curtis Brown and WME. Foy is repped by Independent, UTA and Tapestry, Powley by Curtis Brown and UTA, Farthing by Independent and Anonymous Content, Cassidy by ARG, McCabe by Conway Van Gelder Grant, Pepperdine and Torrens by Independent.
