Universal Pictures, Vertigo to Release Film Set at Legendary Stone Roses Concert in U.K., Ireland

7:10 AM PDT 3/20/2013 by Stuart Kemp

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Mat Whitecross' "Spike Island," which uses a 1990 gig at Spike Island as its backdrop, will be rolled out this summer.

LONDON – Sales and production finance banner Bankside Films has inked a deal with Universal Pictures U.K. for British and Irish rights to Spike Island directed by Mat Whitecross.

Production Begins On Stone Roses-Inspired 'Spike Island'

Universal Pictures U.K. – the home entertainment division of Universal Pictures International Entertainment - will join forces with indie distributor Vertigo Films for a June 21, 2013 theatrical release.

The coming-of-age story set against cult indie band The Stone Roses' legendary gig at Spike Island in May 1990 stars Elliott Tittensor, Nico Mirallegro, Jordan Murphy, Adam Long, Oliver Heald, Emilia Clarke and Lesley Manville.

The movie will roll out in Manchester around the anniversary of the original concert with the summer date, which also coincides with the Stone Roses' current U.K. tour dates.

The deal was negotiated by Richard Thompson, head of local film acquisitions at Universal Pictures U.K. and Stephen Kelliher, head of sales and marketing at Bankside Films.

Spike Island landed back with Bankside Films as the original distributor Revolver Entertainment finds itself mired in speculation over its financial standing and future.

Kelliher said: "We are delighted that Universal Pictures U.K. and Vertigo Films will be handling Spike Island. We could not be in better hands and we feel sure that the combined skill, experience and market presence of both companies will ensure that the film is a great success when it comes to cinemas this summer."

The movie is produced by Fiona Neilson and Esther Douglas of London’s Fiesta Productions with financial backing from Head Gear Films, the BFI Film Fund, BBC Films, pop band Coldplay and Rising Star Media.

The screenplay is written by Chris Coghill and was developed with the support of the BFI Film Fund.

Bankside also said it has inked a deal for Michael Winterbottom's Everday with IFC Films for Sundance Selects USA, Wild Bunch for Benelux, Efsera Cultural for Brazil, JinJin Pictures for South Korea, Crest Films for Japan, Telecine for Brazil Pay TV, FIVIA for Former Yugoslavia, Lev Cinemas for Israel and Mars Concept for Turkey.