James McAvoy’s Directorial Debut ‘California Schemin’ Pre-Sells To Raft Of Buyers Including Studiocanal For UK; Filming To Begin Next Month In Scotland

Andreas Wiseman

5 September 2024 at 6:51 am·1-min read

EXCLUSIVE: James McAvoy’s upcoming directorial debut California Schemin’ has pre-sold to a raft of international buyers, including Studiocanal for the UK and Ireland.

Filming is being lined up for the end of October in Scotland.

More from Deadline

In TIFF World Premiere 'The Last Republican,' Former GOP Congressman Adam Kinzinger Zings Trump, Likens Republican Party To Drunk On A Bender
Fae Pictures Hits TIFF Holding Three-Pic Slate Including Anti-Capitalist Horror 'Good Fast Cheap' Starring 'I Like Movies' Actor Isaiah Lehtinen
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Hardy & Cary Fukunaga Team For Jo Nesbo Crime-Thriller 'Blood On Snow'; WME Independent & Range Launching Hot TIFF Market Package

Bankside has also inked deals with Estonian Theatrical Distribution (Baltics), Beta (Bulgaria), HBO (Eastern Europe), MCF (Former Yugoslavia), Cinetel (Hungary), EFAR Films Distribution (India), Front Row (Middle East), NOS Lusomundo (Portugal) and Green Light (Ukraine).

Currently in pre-production, the film will chart the true story of two Scottish lads from Dundee who conned the international music industry by adopting American accents and pretending to be established Californian rap duo, Silibil N’ Brains.

Pic is based on Gavin Bain’s autobiography of the same name, which was later re-printed as Straight Outta Scotland. The story was later adapted into 2013 SXSW documentary The Great Hip Hop Hoax.

BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee McAvoy will direct and have a supporting role, alongside leads Séamus McLean Ross (Outlander: Blood of My Blood), and BAFTA nominee Samuel Bottomley (How To Have Sex).

Archie Thomson (Deep State 2) and Glasgow-born Elaine Gracie (Romantic Getaway) adapted the screenplay, and Kahleen Crawford will be serving as casting director.

Pic is produced by Scottish producer Guy J. Louthan of Ransom Films (The Call), and Danny Page of Homefront Productions. Stephen Kelliher and Sophie Green will serve as executive producers for Bankside Films.

Bankside Films is handling international sales, while UTA Independent Film Group is repping North America. Sales will continue at the Toronto and AFM markets.

Best of Deadline

InStyle
Beyoncé Went Topless for Her Second, Surprise Halloween Costume
Two is always better than one.
Yahoo Lifestyle
The Voice 2025 coaches line-up leaks after Guy Sebastian quits the show
EXCLUSIVE: Guy Sebastian isn’t the only coach who has decided not to return for next year’s season of the reality show. Read more.
BuzzFeed
Martha Stewart Said Ryan Reynolds Isn't Funny In Real Life, And Ryan Had A Pretty Good Response
"He can act funny, but he isn't funny."
BuzzFeed
5 Celebrities Who Endorsed Trump This Week, And 1 Celeb Who Renounced Their Trump Endorsement
This is certainly an eclectic group of folks.
The Independent
Harrison Ford makes presidential endorsement days before 2024 election
The Indiana Jones actor took the opportunity to speak out despite ‘never really wanting to talk’ about politics
Deadline
Eva Longoria Reveals Her “Only Mistake” In Investing $6 Million In ‘John Wick’
Eva Longoria has developed quite a business savvy over the years, but she still has some regrets. After making “more than double” her $6 million investment on John Wick after it debuted in 2014, the Golden Globe nominee admitted she wishes she would have continued on with the wildly successful franchise that recently marked its …
Yahoo Lifestyle
MKR judges 'threaten to quit' as new stars tipped to join 2025 season
EXCLUSIVE: Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge aren’t too happy with Channel Seven's plan for next year's season. Read more.
The Independent
Monica Lewinsky reveals who she is voting for in the presidential election
The former White House intern urged her followers to get out and vote as America goes to the polls
Deadline
Michael Caine Shares The One Thing Tom Cruise Asked Him When They First Met 40 Years Ago
Michael Caine has shared that a young Tom Cruise asked him for career advice when the pair first met 40 years ago. Double Oscar winner Caine, now 91, has penned his memoir called “Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over” and in an interview with The Sunday Times newspaper he revealed that he met the future …
BuzzFeed
17 Subtle Differences Between "Old Money" And "New Money" That Are Actually Very, Very Intriguing
"I’m a cleaner; old money gives a Christmas tip and buys me a gift. New money does neither. It’s a strange pattern I’ve noticed in my over six years cleaning people's houses, and I can’t explain why this happens."
PA Media: Entertainment
Coldplay’s Chris Martin falls through stage trapdoor during Australian concert
Martin could be seen plummeting through the hidden door backwards, in footage posted to social media.
HuffPost
Kamala Harris Jokes About The 1 Thing Trump Can't Do In Surprise 'SNL' Cameo
Harris appeared alongside Maya Rudolph, who plays the vice president on "Saturday Night Live," in the show's last episode before Election Day.
Deadline
King Charles, Prince William’s Tax-Free Multi-Million Pound Fortunes Uncovered – UK media report
King Charles and his son Prince William are increasing their huge fortunes with rents from British institutions including schools, fire stations and even hospitals, UK media has reported. The Sunday Times newspaper and broadcaster Channel 4 joined forces in a five-month-long investigation which uncovered more than 5,000 land registry documents connected with the two men’s …
Evening Standard
King Charles reportedly 'ends' Prince Andrew's £1m annual allowance and security
Andrew has been cast out of the fold after allegations made against him
WWD
Laura Dern Favors Dark Glamour in Detailed Lace Dress With Plunging Neckline for LACMA Art + Film Gala 2024 Red Carpet
The actress embraced the sheer trend that has been dominating red carpets this year.
BANG Showbiz
Margot Robbie gives birth to baby boy
Movie star Margot Robbie has given birth to her first child.
BuzzFeed
I'm Demisexual. Here's What I Want You To Know.
"I always thought I was broken."
Evening Standard
Actress Margot Robbie 'gives birth to first child' with British film producer husband Tom Ackerley
The Australian actress reportedly went into labour two weeks ago
BuzzFeed
Forgive Me, I'm Still Laughing At The 17 Funniest Signs Of The Week
This is your sign to take a breather and look at these silly signs:
Entertainment Weekly
Chloë Grace Moretz comes out as a 'gay woman' in message about voting to protect LGBTQ+ rights
"There is so much on the line this election," the "Nimona" star wrote, announcing that she'd voted for Kamala Harris.

Latest stories