Christopher Plummer's 'Barrymore' to Take Theatrical Bow

NEW YORK -- Barrymore, the film based on the celebrated 1997 Broadway production that won a Tony Award for Christopher Plummer as best actor in a play, will be shown theatrically in Canada this spring, and throughout the U.S. and internationally in the fall.

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The 82-year-old Plummer became the oldest Oscar winner in history when he took home supporting actor honors this year for his work in Focus Features' Beginners. He reprised his role in Barrymore in a limited run at Toronto's Elgin Theatre last year, which was captured on film both on the stage and on location by director-adapter Érik Canuel. The film premiered in September at the Toronto International Film Festival.

In William Luce's bio-play, set in 1942, Plummer takes on the role of John Barrymore, part of the legendary American multi-generational acting dynasty. Faced with the diminished luster of his box-office power, he looks back over a life of highs and lows as he attempts to mount a comeback by recreating his Broadway triumph in Richard III. 

Produced by Garth Drabinsky, the film version will be released by New York-based alternative content distributor BY Experience. Executive producers are Steve Kalafer and Peter LeDonne. 

In addition to Beginners, Plummer was seen recently in David Fincher's U.S. remake of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. He is scheduled to appear next in the Stephen Frears feature, Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight.