Don Cheadle - h 2015
AP Images/InvisionSony Pictures Classics has acquired Don Cheadle’s directorial debut Miles Ahead, which focuses on a few lost days in the life of jazz great Miles Davis, played by Cheadle in the film. The movie, for which SPC took worldwide rights covering most territories, has been selected to screen as the closing night film at the upcoming New York Film Festival.
Written by Steven Baigelman and Cheadle, Miles Ahead also stars Ewan McGregor as a Rolling Stone writer who helps Davis steal back his music, and Emayatzy Corinealdi as Frances Taylor, the great love of Davis’ life. The cast also includes Michael Stuhlbarg and Keith Stanfield.
The film was financed by BiFrost Pictures and produced by Cheadle, Lenore Zerman, Pamela Hirsch, Daniel Wagner, Robert Ogden Barnum, Darryl Porter and Vince Wilburn, Jr. with Mark Amin, Baigelman, Jonathan Gardner and Brian Pope as executive producers. Davis’ son, Erin Davis, and daughter, Cheryl Davis, are also executive producers on the film, made with the participation of The Miles Davis Estate.
“What Don Cheadle has done here with the spirit of Miles Davis is truly astounding. We are not only witnessing for the first time this part of Miles Davis’ story as it deserves to be told, but also the birth of a major film director who happens to portray the iconic musician in a jaw dropping performance,” SPC said in a statement.
The deal was negotiated by SPC with UTA Independent Film Group, which arranged the financing and represented the filmmakers in the deal. IM Global handled pre-sales in multiple territories, including Portugal, Switzerland, U.K., the nations of former Yugoslavia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel and the Middle East.
UPDATED: Aug. 7, 12:33 p.m. SPC’s revised statement about the film replaces its original statement.
