Daniel Brühl to Direct Biopic “Break” About German Tennis Champion Gottfried von Cramm

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Daniel Brühl is returning to the director’s chair.

The 46-year-old German-Spanish actor will hem the biopic Break starring Felix Kammerer as real-life German tennis champion Gottfried von Cramm who found himself in the crosshairs of the Nazi regime as his sporting star rose in the 1930s.

The production reunites the team behind German WWI drama All Quiet On The Western Front, which was nominated in nine categories at the Academy Awards in 2023 and won in four, including Best International Feature Film.

London and LA-based The Ink Factory and partners Marc Platt and Adam Siegel at Marc Platt Productions are joining forces on the production with producer Malte Grunert at Amusement Park and the Oscar-winning film’s director and producer Edward Berger at Nine Hours.

The film will follow von Cramm’s breathtaking sporting career under the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945, as he navigates political and personal complexity and a high-stakes love triangle, which meant he went into the 1937 Davis Cup in Wimbledon playing for his life.

The film is adapted by Hossein Amini from Marshall Jon Fisher’s 2009 book ‘A Terrible Splendor: Three Extraordinary Men, a World Poised for War, and the Greatest Tennis Match Ever Played’. The story will be told in German and English.

“Gottfried’s life offers a thrilling prism to look at the history of Europe on the cusp of war – but more than that, it is the story of a deeply personal moral conflict and a dangerous romance – and the life-and-death stakes of greatest tennis match ever played,” said Simon and Stephen Cornwell at The Ink Factory.

“The combination of Hoss’ mesmerizing script, Daniel’s deeply thoughtful directorial eye, and Felix’s raw talent is a heady mix. We are thrilled to be partnering with our old friends Adam Siegel, Marc Platt and Malte Grunert, and to have the opportunity to work with the incomparable Edward Berger. It’s thrilling to be part of bringing the All Quiet team back together to tell this utterly compelling, hugely relevant story,” they added.

Break marks German-Spanish acting star Brühl’s second feature directorial credit after the 2021 drama Next Door, a drama exploring the impact of gentrification on contemporary Berlin.

He previously appeared alongside Kammerer in All Quiet On The Western Front, on which he also took an executive producer credit. The pair have also just been on set together in Ron Howard’s upcoming movie Eden.

Brühl has been seen most recently as the titular iconic designer in Disney+ show Becoming Karl Lagerfeld.

“From a contemporary perspective, the extraordinary story of Gottfried von Cramm is one that demands to be told. Gottfried is a hero for our times. I’m thrilled – and grateful – to be embarking on this cinematic journey, and to travel it together with my friends Felix Kammerer and Malte Grunert will make the pleasure greater still,” said Brühl who is also a partner at Amusement Park.

Brúhl’s long time collaborator and Amusement Park MD Grunert said von Cramm’s story chimed with the times.

“The story of Gottfried von Cramm is one of personal heroism displayed with unassuming elegance. At a time when the freedom and liberty we enjoy are once again under threat from rising nationalism and far right politics, it feels as timely as ever,” he said.

“Reuniting with Daniel, Felix and Edward together with our friends at The Ink Factory and Marc Platt Productions in order to bring Hossein Amini’s fantastic script to the screen will be a joy. I can’t wait to get started and get on the court as part of this great team.”

Daniel Brühl to Receive Honorary President’s Award at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

Posted on June 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a presidential honor for Daniel Brühl.

The 46-year-old German-Spanish actor will receive the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival’s Honorary Presidents Award during this year’s edition, which runs from June 28 to July 6.

Brühl is among a list of honorees that includes Viggo Mortensen and Clive Owen.

Brühl, who will receive his honor later during the festival, will screen his directorial debut Next Door.

He has received various accolades, including three European Film Awards and three German Film Awards, along with nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and a BAFTA Award.

He received his first German Film Award for Best Actor for his roles in Das Weisse Rauschen (2001), Nichts Bereuen (2001) and Vaya con Dios (2002).

His starring role in the German film Good Bye, Lenin! (2003) received widespread recognition and critical acclaim, and garnered him the European Film Award for Best Actor and another German Film Award for Best Actor.^[

The festival has also announced that Benicio del Toro will serve as the main protagonist of the 2024 festival trailer. Each year the festival produces a satirical ‘festival trailer’ that is screened during the opening ceremony. This year’s trailer was written and directed by long-time creator of KVIFF trailers Ivan Zachariáš.

“We filmed with Benicio del Toro in May in Berlin, where he took time out for us while shooting Wes Anderson’s new film. His first response was: ‘It’s a great idea, but we have to be quick.” said Zachariáš. “Benicio was a pro. He immediately understood what I wanted from him, and so we got most of the shots in one go. We were prepared in advance, we marked all the camera positions and lenses before the shoot, and in the end, Benicio himself was surprised at how we managed it all.”

British band Kosheen will perform as part of the opening concert of the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The concert will be free for the public.

A24 Acquires U.S. Rights to Daniel Brühl’s New Project “The Entertainment System is Down”

Posted on May 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Daniel Brühl’s latest film is headed stateside…

In a competitive situation at the Cannes market, A24 has landed an eight-figure deal to acquire U.S. rights to one of the biggest art house crossover projects in town in The Entertainment System is Down, the next film from two-time Palme d’Or winner Ruben Östlund and starring the 45-year-old Spanish-German actor.

The deal was struck between A24 and Paris-based Co-Production Office, which has been making the rounds with the project at the Cannes market. The film recently added Nicholas Braun and Samantha Morton to a starry cast that already includes Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst and Brühl.

The Entertainment System is Down is Östlund’s follow-up to Triangle of Sadness, which won the Palme d’Or in 2022. Like its predecessor a social satire, the new film is set on a long-haul flight where the entertainment systems fail, and an eclectic group of international passengers are forced to face the horror of being bored.

Östlund and his producer, Erik Hemmendorff, purchased a real-life Boeing 747 for the film. He told the press during a Cannes event that he will mount the production over 70 days on a studio lot.

“We bought the plane and it was quite early in the process of the film. So suddenly it was like, ‘Oh, we have to make this film,” Östlund said at the presser, which Dunst and Brühl attended.

Dunst and Brühl will play a doomed married couple.

Östlund said this week he expected to be back at Cannes in 2026 when he’ll debut The Entertainment System Is Down. The project will mark Östlund’s second English-language film and seventh feature after The Guitar Mongoloid (2004), Involuntary (2008), Play (2011), Force Majeure (2014), his first Palme winner The Square (2017) and Triangle of Sadness (2022).

First Look Images Released of Daniel Bruhl’s New Series “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld”

Posted on March 12, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Fashion becomes Daniel Brühl…

Disney+ has unveiled at the 45-year-old half-Spanish actor as the titular iconic designer in the new show Becoming Karl Lagerfeld, produced by leading French film and television company Gaumont.

Brühl, who stars in Rush, Good Bye, Lenin! and Captain America: Civil War, is shown sporting Lagerfeld’s trademark ponytail and black tailored suit of his later years.

Disney+ has also released a first subtitled trailer for the show.

The new images – which follow a silhouetted image teased by Disney+ in January – were released in unison with the announcement that the show will premiere at the Canneseries TV festival in April.

Gaumont produced the drama with Jour Premier for Disney+, which will launch the six-part bio-series on June 7. The series will be available in the U.S. on Hulu from that same date.

Adapted from Raphaëlle Bacqué’s best-seller ‘Kaiser Karl’, the series stars follows Lagerfeld’s ascension to the top of the fashion world, kicking off in 1972 when he was an unknown ready-to-wear designer.

It charts his meeting with long-time companion, the ambitious dandy, Jacques de Bascher (Théodore Pellerin) as well as his rivalry and friendship with fellow fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent (Arnaud Valois) and the latter’s businessman backer and partner Pierre Bergé (Alex Lutz).

Actress and director Agnès Jaoui plays Gabrielle Aghion, the founder of the house of Chloé, which contributed to Lagerfeld’s success.

The storyline also features a host of other fashion and cultural personalities in Lagerfeld’s entourage including Paloma Picasso (Jeanne Damas), Andy Warhol (Paul Spera), Marlene Dietrich (Sunnyi Melles) and Loulou de La Falaise (Claire Laffut).

Veteran German actress Lisa Kreuzer plays the designer’s mother, Elisabeth Lagerfeld.

French director and producer Jérôme Salle, better known for action and adventure pictures like Zulu, Kompromat and The Odyssey, oversaw the drama’s artistic production, with Arnaud de Crémiers at French production house Jour Premier.

Salle also directed episodes 1, 2 and 6 with Audrey Estrougo (Tout va bien, Suprêmes) directing episodes 3, 4 and 5.

The drama was co-created by Isaure Pisani-Ferry (Ganglands, Vampires), in the role of head writer, with Jennifer Have (Unfaithful, The Red Band Society) and Raphaëlle Bacqué.

The series was instigated by Christophe Riandee, deputy general director of Gaumont, which is headed by Sidonie Dumas.

The series is produced by Brühl Brühl Brühl for Gaumont and de Crémiers for Jour Premier.

HBO Orders Half-Hour Comedy “The Franchise,” Featuring Daniel Brühl, to Series

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Daniel Brühl is a franchisee…

HBO has ordered to series the half-hour comedy The Franchise, featuring the 45-year-old Spanish-German actor.

From Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, Armando Iannucci and writer Jon Brown, the series takes a wry look at superhero movie-making.

Work on the pilot was completed before the SAG-AFTRA strike began, and production on the series won’t begin until the strikes have concluded.

Himesh Patel and Aya Cash have joined as series regulars on the comedy, which revolves around the crew of an unloved franchise movie who fight for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe.

The Franchise shines a light on the secret chaos inside the world of superhero moviemaking to ask the question: How exactly does the cinematic sausage get made? Because every f*ckup has an origin story.

Patel and Cash are featured in the pilot, but their roles never were announced.

In addition to Brühl in a recurring role, the previously announced cast includes series regulars Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein, and Isaac Powell.

“With a deft touch only he can bring, Sam has brilliantly captured the romance and the reality of filmmaking today, said Amy Gravitt, EVP, HBO Programming, Head of HBO & Max Comedy. “Jon is superb at sending up worlds we think we already know. Together, with Armando, they have delivered a truly hilarious comedy ensemble. I can’t wait to see more.”

The series comes from the mind of Mendes and marks his first U.S. TV directorial project. He won a Best Director Oscar for American Beauty and earned three Academy Award nominations for 1917, for Best Picture, Director and Original Screenplay.

Patel stars as Daniel, Cash as Anita, Hynes as Steph, Magnussen as Adam, Adefope as Dag, Goldstein as Pat and Powell as Bryson. Brühl recurs as Eric.

The pilot was directed by Mendes and written by Jon Brown, who serves as showrunner.

Daniel Brühl to Star as Late Fashion Designer Karl Lagerfeld in Disney+’s Series “Kaiser Karl”

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Daniel Brühl is taking on a fashion legend…

The 44-year-old Spanish-German actor and filmmaker will star as late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld in Kaiser Karl, the anticipated Disney+ original series which Gaumont is currently producing.

The six-part series is currently shooting in France, Monaco and Italy.

The series will chronicle the rise of Lagerfeld through the world of 1970s Parisian high fashion. In 1972, a 38-year-old Lagerfeld aspired to become the most famous French fashion designer, at a time when Yves Saint Laurent reigned supreme. Lagerfeld went on to become the head designer and creative director of Chanel, Fendi and his own label.

The series will also explore the rivalry between Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent’s partner Pierre Berge, as well as his love story with Jacques de Bascher.

Along with depicting the clan rivalries and ego battles of the high fashion world, the series will also portray the epic partying and decadence, tragic love affairs and friendships, which marked Lagerfeld’s life.

Jérôme Salle, the well-known French director, will be the “artistic mastermind” behind the series and is set to direct Episodes 1, 2 and 6, while up-and-coming director Audrey Estrougo will helm the other three.

Brühl, one of Germany’s biggest and most internationally driven stars, will headline the series alongside Théodore Pellerin as de Bascher; Arnaud Valois as Yves Saint Laurent; Alex Lutz as Pierre Bergé; and Agnès Jaoui as Gaby Aghion, the founder of the Chloé brand who helped elevate Lagerfeld.

A showcase of queer subculture and the glamorous Parisian world of fashion, the upcoming premium series will mark the first dramatic series on the famed designer, who has previously been the subject of documentaries.

Kaiser Karl was created and adapted for television by Isaure Pisani-Ferry, Jennifer Have and Raphaëlle Bacqué, author of the bestselling biography of the same name.

A movie biopic is also being made on Lagerfeld with Jared Leto attached to play the designer.

Melissa Barrera to Star in the Warhol-Basquiat film “The Collaboration

Posted on September 8, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Barrera has a new collaboration…

The 32-year-old Mexican actress and singer will star in Muse of Fire’s Warhol–Basquiat film The Collaboration, based on the acclaimed play by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten.

Barrera will star alongside Jeremy Pope, Paul Bettany and Daniel Brühl in the project.

The Collaboration revolves around the relationship of the two iconic artists, starting in the summer of 1984. International superstar Andy Warhol (Bettany) and the art scene’s newest wunderkind, Jean-Michel Basquiat (Pope), agree to work together on what may be the most talked about exhibition in the history of modern art. But can these two creative giants co-exist with such opposing views of life and art?

Today, Warhol and Basquiat’s works sell for tens of millions.

Barrera will play the role of Maya, a formidable truth-teller who loves Basquiat and is wary of Warhol.

McCarten penned the screen adaptation of his play, which made its world premiere at London’s Young Vic Theatre in February, with Bettany and Pope as Warhol and Basquiat, respectively. Renowned theatre director and writer Kwame Kwei-Armah is making his feature directorial debut with the project, after directing the play in its original run.

Production on The Collaboration begins this month in Boston at Marina Studios’ Quincy location.

Once production on the Collaboration film has wrapped, the play will head to Broadway, with Kwei-Armah, Bettany and Pope again returning. December 20 has been set as opening night, with previews beginning at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on November 29.

Barrera is best known for her turns in Paramount/Spyglass’ recent Scream reboot, Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical In the Heights for Warner Bros. and HBO Max, and the acclaimed Starz series, Vida.

She more recently led Keep Breathing, the Netflix series, which rose to #1 on the streamer when it premiered in late July.

She’s currently in production on Scream 6, reprising her role as Sam Carpenter, and will next be seen in Benjamin Millepied’s musical Carmen, which is world premiering this month at the Toronto Film Festival.

Daniel Brühl to Star in the Upcoming Warhol-Basquiat Film “The Collaboration”

Posted on August 8, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Daniel Brühl is ready to collaborate…

The 44-year-old Spanish-German actor and filmmaker has signed on to star alongside Paul Bettany and Jeremy Pope in the upcoming Warhol–Basquiat film The Collaboration, based on the acclaimed play by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten, which heads into production in Boston in September.

The Collaboration revolves around the relationship between the two iconic artists, starting in the summer of 1984. International superstar Andy Warhol (Bettany) and the art scene’s newest wunderkind, Jean-Michel Basquiat (Pope), agree to work together on what may be the most talked about exhibition in the history of modern art. But can these two creative giants co-exist with such opposing views of life and art? (Things worked out in the end, of course, with Warhol and Basquiat’s works now selling for tens of millions.)

Brühl has been tapped for the role of Bruno Bischofberger, the legendary art impresario who first suggested a series of collaborations between Basquiat and Warhol, two artists at very different junctures in their lives and careers in the 1980s.

McCarten adapted his play, which made its world premiere at London’s Young Vic Theatre in February, with Bettany and Pope as Warhol and Basquiat, respectively. Renowned theatre director and writer Kwame Kwei-Armah is returning to mount the film, in his feature debut, after directing the play in its original run. Oscar winner Hannah Beachler will serve as its production designer, with Oscar nominee Robert Yeoman as its cinematographer.

Once production on the Collaboration film has wrapped, the play will head to Broadway, with Kwei-Armah, Bettany and Pope once again returning. Previews will begin at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on November 29, with December 20 set as opening night.

Brühl is a Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA Award nominee who has previously been seen starring in films like The King’s Man, Rush, Inglourious Basterds, Captain America: Civil War, The Bourne Ultimatum and A Most Wanted Man, as well as the series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and The Alienist.

His other upcoming projects include the sports drama 2 Win, from director Stefano Mordini, and the thriller Rich Flu, from director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, in which Rosamund Pike and Macaulay Culkin are also set to 8-star.

Daniel Brühl to Star in Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia’s Thriller “Rich Flu”

Posted on May 27, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Daniel Brühl’s acting riches continue…

The 43-year-old half-Spanish actor has joined the cast of the Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia directed thriller, Rich Flu, alongside Macaulay Culkin.

Rosamund Pike is attached to star in the film, which is expected to begin production in the fall.

In the film, a strange disease is killing off some of the richest and most influential people on the planet. First it was the billionaires, then the multi-millionaires and so on progressively. Now it threatens to strike anyone with any sort of fortune, and no one knows where it might end. With the whole world panicking and our very way of life headed for collapse, people are trying to flood the market with assets the world no longer wants.

Pedro Rivero, Gaztelu-Urrutia and David Desola wrote the screenplay with revisions by Sam Steiner.

Sierra/Affinity is handling foreign sales and has the project available to buyers at this year’s Cannes Film Market. CAA Media Finance is representing the film domestically.

Producers on Rich Flu include Pablo Larraín and Juan de Dios Larraín via their Fabula banner, which produced the movies Spencer, Jackie, and No; Adrián Guerra and Núria Valls via the Nostromo Pictures label; Carlos Juárez; as well as Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia and Albert Soler.

Brühl, who will next star in Stefano Mordini’s racing film 2 Win, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the BAFTAs for Ron Howard’s Rush.

His previous feature credits include The King’s Man, Captain America: Civil War, Inglourious Basterds and the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Daniel Brühl to Star in “2 Win,” Inspired by Events at the 1983 Rally World Championships

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Daniel Brühl is here to win…

The 43-year-old half-Spanish German actor will star in Italian director Stefano Mordini’s 2 Win, inspired by the events surrounding the 1983 Rally World Championships and the intense rivalry between Germany and Italy.

In addition to Brühl, the film will also star Riccardo Scamarcio and Volker Bruch.

The story is written by Filippo Bologna, Mordini and Scamarcio, who frequently collaborate together and have worked on titles like the 2016 Un Certain Regard title Pericle and, most recently, The Catholic School. 2 Win marks their first English-language feature together.

Up against formidable rival Roland Gumpert (Brühl) and his superior Audi team, Italy’s team manager Cesare Fiorio (Scamarcio) faces certain defeat in the 1983 Rally World Championships. But Fiorio’s sets to steal victory and, like any good heist, he puts together an unusual team, including a team doctor and nutritionist who becomes a necessary foil against Cesare’s bravado. Cesare’s stroke of luck comes when he coaxes the zen-like Walter Rohl (Bruch) to drive for Lancia but the catch is Röhrl will only compete in the races he likes.

Italy’s Lebowski is producing the film with Recorded Picture Company and Metropolitan Films co-producing. Rai is the Italian distributor. Jeremy Thomas is producing with Scamarcio.

Production is expected to commence mid-May in Italy and Greece. HanWay Films is handling worldwide sales and will launch to buyers on the Croisette in Cannes this month.

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