We’ve missed you David Cronenberg. It’s been four years since your last feature and we are getting impatient. Thankfully, you are working hard with two new films and we now know who will be distributing one. We get word today that Sony Pictures Classics has acquired the US rights for A Dangerous Method, the film based on Christopher Hampton‘s 2002 play The Talking Cure, and starring Viggo Mortensen, Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender, and Vincent Cassel. There is no word on release, but expect it later this year after its confirmed Venice Film Festival premiere.
As for his next film Cosmopolis, currently shooting in Toronto, expect a release in 2012. That drama stars Robert Pattinson, Sarah Gadon, Samantha Morton, Juliette Binoche, Paul Giamatti, Kevin Durand and Sarah Gadon. For now check out the full press release, and a bootleg trailer for A Dangerous Method. I recommend completely avoiding it until the real thing, but if you must, it is below.
NEW YORK (June 16, 2011) – Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired the US Rights to David Cronenberg’s A DANGEROUS METHOD from UK based Hanway Films. The film, produced by Jeremy Thomas (THE LAST EMPEROR, SEXY BEAST), stars Viggo Mortenson, Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender, and Vincent Cassel. The film is currently in post-production.
Cronenberg once again gathered a prestigious crew to work on A DANGEROUS METHOD, director of photography Peter Suschitsky (A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, EASTERN PROMISES), composer Howard Shore (THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy, AVATAR), editor Ronald Sanders (A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, EASTERN PROMISES, CORALINE), costume designer Denise Cronenberg (A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, EASTERN PROMISES, THE INCREDIBLE HULK) and production designer James McAteer (GOOD WILL HUNTING, A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMAN). The screenplay was adapted by Christopher Hampton (ATONEMENT, THE QUIET AMERICAN) from his own play.
Seduced by the challenge of an impossible case, the driven Dr. Jung (Michael Fassbender) takes the unbalanced yet beautiful Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley) as his patient in A DANGEROUS METHOD. Jung’s weapon is the method of his master, the renowned Sigmund Freud. Both men fall under Sabina’s spell.
“David Cronenberg and Jeremy Thomas have made a film that not only has an impeccable cast and crew working at the height of their talents but tells one of the most fascinating love triangles of the twentieth century. The American public will enthusiastically embrace this picture. We are delighted to be in business again with Jeremy and David,” states Sony Pictures Classics.
Producer Jeremy Thomas adds, “I’m very excited to be working again with my friends at Sony Pictures Classics on David’s wonderful film.”
Sony Pictures Classics released David Cronenberg’s SPIDER as well as several films produced by Jeremy Thomas (Takeshi Kitano’s BROTHER, Wim Wender’s DON’T COME KNOCKING, and David Mackenzie’s YOUNG ADAM).