August 12th, 2013 – D FILMS, Canada’s fastest growing distribution company, has acquired the exclusive, long-term Canadian distribution rights in all media to The Double from UK based Protagonist Pictures.  The second feature from writer/director Richard Ayoade (Submarine), stars Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Now You See Me) and Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, Jane Eyre). The announcement was made today by President and CEO of D Films, Jim Sherry.

Inspired by Dostoyevsky’s novella of the same name, The Double is a dark comedy written by Ayoade and Avi Korine (Mister Lonely), a funny and frightening story about an insignificant man driven to near breakdown by the appearance of his doppelganger.

Simon (Jesse Eisenberg) is a timid man, scratching out an isolated existence in an indifferent world.  He is overlooked at work, scorned by his mother, and ignored by the woman of his dreams (Mia Wasikowska).  He feels powerless to change any of these things.  The arrival of a new co-worker, James (also Jesse Eisenberg), serves to upset the balance.  James is both Simon’s exact physical double and his opposite – confident, charismatic and good with women.  To Simon’s horror, James slowly starts taking over his life.

 

The Double marks Ayoade’s sophomore directorial project after his debut feature Submarine, an adaptation of Joe Dunthorne’s coming-of-age tale.  Ayoade is widely known in the U.K. for comedic turns in TV shows including The Mighty Boosh and The IT Crowd, and has also been seen in the ensemble comedy The Watch alongside Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to work with Protagonist again, especially on such an inspiring and original piece of filmmaking,” said Michael Robson, vice-president of marketing and development of D Films.

 

“D Films is one of the most exciting independents to emerge in Canada and we are thrilled that Jim, Michael and the team responded so positively to Richard Ayoade’s unique and wonderful vision in The Double. We are looking forward to the film’s world premiere at TIFF next month” added Mike Goodridge, CEO of Protagonist Pictures.

 

The Double will have its world premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and is set for a winter 2014 theatrical release in Canada.

The deal was negotiated by Robson and Goodridge.

 

The Double is a FILM4 & BFI presentation of an ALCOVE production in association with Protagonist Pictures, co-produced by Attercop Productions and MC Pictures.