Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Following an intense bidding war against multiple production companies, Deadline brings word that Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson’s Appian Way has successfully acquired the rights to develop the English remake of Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg’s acclaimed comedy-drama Another Round. This comes on the heels of the 2020 film closing out its victorious awards campaign by winning the Best International Feature Film award at last Sunday’s 2021 Oscars.
According to the outlet, DiCaprio might take on the leading role of the English Another Round remake that Mads Mikkelsen previously played in the original film. The Oscar-winning actor’s involvement was reportedly an important part of the final decision as Vinterberg was interested in the chance of seeing DiCaprio in a new role of a vulnerable middle-aged man in an existential crisis.
RELATED: Adam McKay Was Shocked Leonardo DiCaprio Joined Don’t Look Up
Another Round centers around four friends, all teachers at various stages of middle age, who are stuck in a rut. Unable to share their passions either at school or at home, they embark on an audacious experiment from an obscure philosopher: to see if a constant level of alcohol in their blood will help them find greater freedom and happiness. At first, they each find a new-found zest, but as the gang pushes their experiment further, issues that have been simmering for years come to a head, and the men are faced with a choice: reckon with their behavior or continue on the same course.
Thomas Vinterberg directed the film from a script he co-wrote with Tobias Lindholm. It starred Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Lars Ranthe, and Magnus Millang.
On top of winning an Oscar for Best International Feature Film, Vinterberg was also nominated for Best Director. The filmmaker also delivered an emotional speech at last Sunday’s Oscar Awards, where he dedicated his win to his late daughter Ida, who was unfortunately killed in a car crash four days into filming. His daughter was originally set to play the daughter of Mads Mikkelsen’s character and was also the one who inspired the formation of the project.
RELATED: Riders of Justice Trailer Previews Mads Mikkelsen’s Revenge Dramedy Pic
Appian Way, along with Endeavor Content and Brad Weston’s Makeready, has won the bid in an auction involving Studiocanal with The Picture Company, Jake Gyllenhaal’s Nine Stories, and Elizabeth Banks with Universal Pictures.
The English remake of Another Round will be produced by Appian Way’s DiCaprio and Davisson, along with Endeavor Content and Makeready’s Brad Weston and Negin Salmasi. Appian Way’s Mike Hampton will oversee the project.
