The first domino of the fall festival season has dropped with the announcement that Armando Iannucci’s “The Personal History of David Copperfield” is set to open the 63rd BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 2. What’s noteworthy about “David Copperfield’s” premiere is that it is strictly a “European” one meaning its world premiere should occur at either the Telluride or Toronto International Film Festivals in September. Considering Iannucci’s last film, “The Death of Stalin,” debuted at TIFF in 2017, we’re betting on the later.
READ MORE: Armando Iannucci’s “The Death of Stalin” is a timely, hilarious and bleak satire [Review]
Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel, “David Copperfield” stars Dev Patel in the title role with a noteworthy cast rounding out some familiar literary characters. Tilda Swinton will play David’s Aunt, Betsey Trotwood, Hugh Laurie will portray Mr. Dick, Ben Whishaw will play Uriah Heep, Benedict Wong is set for Mr. Wickefield, Gwendoline Christie will portray Jane Murdstone and Iannucci favorite Peter Capaldi will, in theory, play against type as Wilkins Micawber. While set in the 19th century, one assumes that Iannucci will look at Dickens work in a contemporary context as he did with the “The Death of Stalin.”
IFC released both “Stalin” and Iannucci’s own classic, “In the Loop,” but “David Copperfield” will be a sales title in the United States. In a wide-open Oscar race, it will be curious to see if Focus Features or Fox Searchlight consider taking it on for a year-end release. Lionsgate will release “David Copperfield” in the United Kingdom.
Iannucci is best known for creating “Veep” which garnered him two Emmy Awards among other accolades. He also is an Oscar nominee in the Adapted Screenplay category for “In The Loop.”
More major film debuts will come to light next week as both the Venice Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival reveal their initial slates. Telluride, as always, is an increasingly easy game of Nancy Drew.