Movie Update: THE LAST WORD
Production has begun
Movie Update: THE LAST WORD
Press Release
UPDATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2016:
Bleecker Street announced production has begun on Mark Pellington’s, THE LAST WORD, written by Stuart Ross Fink. Academy Award® winner Shirley MacLaine (Terms of Endearment) and Amanda Seyfried (Les Misérables, Mama Mia!) began filming on Saturday, February 6th, 2016. Myriad Pictures is handling international sales on the film, continuing with this week’s European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin.
MacLaine plays a retired businesswoman who wants to control everything around her, including her own obituary, so she writes her own to ensure her life story is told her way. Seyfried portrays a young writer at the local newspaper who takes up the task of finding out the truth about MacLaine’s character —resulting in a reawakening of passions for MacLaine’s character, and a life altering friendship for Seyfried’s.
Rounding out the cast are a number of standout actors, including Anne Heche (Rampart, The Other Guys, Donnie Brasco), who plays MacLaine’s estranged daughter; Philip Baker Hall (Argo, Bad Words, 50/50) as MacLaine’s ex-husband; Thomas Sadowski (Wild, “The Newsroom”) as a local DJ; and Tom Everett Scott (Race to Witch Mountain, That Thing You Do!) as the editor of the local newspaper.
The film is directed by Mark Pellington (Arllington Road, The Mothman Prophecies) and produced by Kirk D’Amico (The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, Margin Call) of Myriad Pictures, Anne-Marie MacKay of Wondros, and Pellington. The film is financed by Myriad Pictures, Franklin Street, Media Capital Group, and Pacific Mercantile Bank. The film is executive produced by Bleecker Street’s Andrew Karpen, Franklin Street’s Dan Steinman, Danny Roth and Damiano Tucci of Parkside Pictures, and Myriad’s Kevin Forester. Also serving as EPs are Aaron Magnani, MacLaine and Seyfried.
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PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED NOVEMBER 3, 2015:
Bleecker Street is proud to announce it has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Mark Pellington’s upcoming dramedy, THE LAST WORD, written by Stuart Fink. Academy Award winner Shirley MacLaine (TERMS OF ENDEARMENT) and Amanda Seyfried (LES MISÉRABLES, MAMMA MIA!) are attached to star.
MacLaine plays a retired businesswoman who wants to control everything around her, including her own obituary, so she writes her own to ensure her life story is told her way. Seyfried portrays a young writer at the local newspaper who takes up the task of finding out the truth about MacLaine’s character —resulting in a reawakening of passions for MacLaine’s character, and a life altering friendship for Seyfried’s.
The film will be directed by Mark Pellington (ARLINGTON ROAD, THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES) and produced by Pellington, Anne-Marie MacKay of Wondros and Kirk D’Amico (THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY, MARGIN CALL) of Myriad Pictures with Aaron Magnani serving as executive producer.
Andrew Karpen, CEO of Bleecker Street remarked, “When I read Stuart’s funny and touching script, I instantly saw Shirley MacLaine and Amanda Seyfried in the roles of these two amazing women. I’m excited to see Mark Pellington bring this story of reflection, personal legacy and self-truth to life.”
Producer Kirk D’Amico said, “We’re thrilled to have Bleecker Street onboard to bring this film to theaters across the US. They do a great job of bringing sophisticated and fun films like this to audiences. We are excited to see Amanda and Shirley shine in these roles and know that Mark will create a fantastic film.”
The deal was negotiated between Kent Sanderson, President of Acquisitions & Ancillary Distribution for Bleecker Street, and Kirk D’Amico of Myriad Pictures and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the production.
For more information, contact our press office.
