MOVIE UPDATE: Bleecker Street has announced the release date for ANTHROPOID on Friday, August 12, 2016.

Bleecker Street announced it has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Sean Ellis’ World War II drama, ANTHROPOID, from LD Entertainment. The film is based on the extraordinary true story of “Operation Anthropoid,” the code name for the Czechoslovakian operatives’ mission to assassinate SS officer Reinhard Heydrich.

Heydrich, the main architect behind the Final Solution, was the Reich’s third in command behind Hitler and Himmler and the leader of Nazi forces in Czechoslovakia. The film follows two soldiers from the Czechoslovakian army-in-exile, Josef Gabčík (Cillian Murphy) and Jan Kubiš (Jamie Dornan), who are parachuted into their occupied homeland in December 1941. With limited intelligence and little equipment in a city under lock down, they must find a way to assassinate Heydrich, an operation that would change the face of Europe forever.

Directed by Sean Ellis (Metro Manila, Cashback) from a screenplay by Ellis and Anthony Frewin, the film also stars Charlotte Le Bon, Ana Geislerová, Harry Lloyd, Bill Milner and Toby Jones. Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon and Sean Ellis produced.

Andrew Karpen, CEO of Bleecker Street commented, “Sean Ellis’ film drops you right into the center of resistance in WWII and takes viewers on an emotional ride all the way through its heart-stopping finale. We’re proud to partner with Mickey and Pete on this film which we feel will resonate with adult audiences this summer.”

Mickey Liddell, President of LD Entertainment said, “It’s not often that we see this type of heroism on screen and we’re proud to share this powerful story of sacrifice and bravery with the world. Sean Ellis is a true auteur and has been one of the best partners we’ve had the privilege of working with. We’re excited to be in business with Bleecker Street as they share our passion for this film.”

The deal was negotiated between Kent Sanderson of Bleecker Street with Avy Eschenasy on behalf of Bleecker Street and Eric Thompson, ICM Partners, and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.