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

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.

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

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 .

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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.

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