Sony Pictures Classics has acquired the North American distribution rights for writer-director Peter Landesman‘s upcoming biopic, ‘The Silent Man.’ The deal for historical drama, which is based on the life of Mark Felt, the secret high-ranking FBI informant who famously became known as Deep Throat during the Watergate scandal, was negotiated between CAA and SPC. The film production and distribution company is set to release the movie in September, as the recent political turmoil has sparked a renewed public interest in Felt’s story.
‘The Silent Man‘ was produced by Scott Free, MadRiver Pictures, Endurance Media, Torridon Films, and Riverstone Pictures, with Ridley Scott, Giannina Scott, Marc Butan, Anthony Katagas, Landesman, Steve Richards and Jay Roach producing. The drama was executive produced by Yale Badik, Des Carey, Colin Wilson, Peter Guber, Jeffrey Vinik, Nik Bower, Deepak Nayar and Michael Schaefer.
The historical biopic features an all-star cast including Liam Neeson in the title role of Felt. The Oscar-nominated actor is joined on screen by Diane Lane, Marton Csokas, Josh Lucas, Tony Goldwyn, Michael C. Hall, Tom Sizemore, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ike Barinholtz, Bruce Greenwood, Brian D’Arcy James, Kate Walsh, Noah Wyle and Maika Monroe.
“Mark Felt was one of the most instrumental figures in American history and yet very little is known of him and the risks he took to reveal the truth. This is an incredible story well told by Peter and his creative team, with a top-notch cast led by an extraordinary performance from Liam. This film could be not more timely and relevant for audiences,” said Sony Pictures Classics, who also released a first-look image of Neeson as Felt, as well as a first look clip, when it announced it had acquired the film’s North American distribution rights.
‘The Silent Man’ centers on Deep Throat, the pseudonym given to the notorious whistleblower for one of the greatest scandals of all time, Watergate. The true identity of the secret informant remained a mystery and source of much public curiosity and speculation for more than 30 years. That is until, in 2005, special agent Mark Felt shockingly revealed himself as the tipster. This unbelievable true story chronicles the personal and professional life of the brilliant and uncompromising Felt, who risked and ultimately sacrificed everything – his family, his career, his freedom – in the name of justice.