BBC sings with Hoffman’s Quartet

by Naman Ramachandran

27/05/2010 - BBC Films, Finola Dwyer and Stewart Mackinnon have boarded multiple Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut, Quartet. The acclaimed actor will direct from a script by Ronald Harwood, who won an Oscar for The Pianist [trailer].

Stewart Mackinnon is producing Quartet for Headline Pictures with Finola Dwyer at Finola Dwyer Productions. BBC Films developed the project and will co-finance it, while HanWay Films is handling sales.

BBC Films previously teamed with Dwyer and HanWay on An Education [trailer]. Jamie Laurenson is executive producing for the BBC.

The producers are in talks with two-time Oscar winner Maggie Smith, five-time Oscar nominee Albert Finney and two-time Oscar nominee Tom Courtenay to star.

Quartet follows events following the one-off reunion concert of a once world-famous foursome of opera singers.

Dwyer said, “Ronnie Harwood’s very funny and life-affirming script, the stellar cast and Dustin Hoffman directing is an irresistible combination.” Mackinnon calls the film “a story about friendship and love that will touch audiences of all ages, but it’s just as much about Dustin and the extraordinary cast.”

Hanway CEO Tim Haslam said, “The Oscar-nominated An Education is a gem of a film, and I feel exactly the same way about Quartet.”

Dwyer’s credits include: Backbeat, Welcome to Woop Woop, The Lost Son, Me Without You, The Hamburg Cell and Stoned.

Headline Pictures’ development slate includes an adaptation of the Philip K. Dick modern classic The Man In The High Castle for the BBC and Reykjavik, a feature film with Ridley Scott attached.

Quartet begins shooting in late 2010.