In a competitive situation, Saban Films has nabbed North American rights to Craig William Macneill’s Lizzie, starring Academy Award nominee Chloë Sevigny (Boys Don’t Cry) as the renowned accused murderess Lizzie Borden and Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga).
Written by Bryce Kass and based on the unsolved, much-speculated-about murders of the Borden parents, Lizzie explores the inner workings of the Borden household leading up to the murders and their immediate aftermath and reveals many layers of the strange, fragile woman who stood accused of the brutal crime. As an unmarried woman of 32, Lizzie (Sevigny) is a social outcast trapped under her father’s austere and domineering control. When Bridget Sullivan (Stewart), a young maid desperate for work, comes to live with the family, Lizzie finds a sympathetic, kindred spirit, and a chance intimacy that blossoms into a wicked plan, and a dark, unsettling end.
Sevigny said: “I couldn’t be happier than to partner with Saban Films and Roadside on ‘Lizzie,’ a film that has been a labor of love for me for over 10 years. I am thrilled for theatre goers to see this incredible tale.”
The film is rounded out by a star-studded cast including Kim Dickens (Gone Girl, Fear the Walking Dead), Denis O’Hare (Dallas Buyers Club, American Horror Story), Jeff Perry (Scandal), Fiona Shaw (Harry Potter) and Jamey Sheridan (Spotlight, Homeland).
“Chloë and Kristen are two of the most esteemed actresses of our time,” said Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley. “Their performances in ‘Lizzie’ are evocative and gripping, and we’re proud to be championing this film.”
“Chloe and Kristen make these roles their own and they slay in every sense of the word. Craig delivered a tense period thriller and we are excited to partner with our friends at Saban as we bring audiences ‘Lizzie’ later this year,” said Roadside Attractions co-founders Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff.
The racy period drama Lizzie, which just made its World Premiere In-Competition at the Sundance Film Festival, was directed by Craig William Macneill (Channel Zero, The Boy) and produced by Sevigny, Naomi Despres and Liz Destro. The film was executive produced by Elizabeth Stillwell, Roxanne Fie Anderson, and Edward J. Anderson of Powder Hound Pictures. Saban Films is planning a theatrical release in partnership with Roadside Attractions this summer.
