Lionsgate U.K. Acquires British Rights for Ghost Stories

Lionsgate U.K. has acquired U.K. distribution rights to “Ghost Stories,” based on the Olivier nominated supernatural stage production, co-written and directed by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, and set to star Martin Freeman and George MacKay with Andy Nyman reprising his role as Professor Goodman.

THE PLOT: Phillip Goodman, professor of psychology and arch-sceptic has his rationality tested to the hilt when he receives a letter apparently from beyond the grave. His mentor Charles Cameron, the “original” TV parapsychologist, went missing 15 years before, presumed dead and yet now he writes to Goodman saying that the pair must meet. Cameron, it seems, is still very much alive. And he needs Goodman to find a rational explanation for three unsolved cases that have shaken Cameron to his core. As Goodman investigates, he meets three haunted people, each with a tale more frightening, uncanny and inexplicable than the last. Gradually, Goodman unearths a hidden truth more terrifying still that will pull his life apart.

Ghost Stories will be produced by Claire Jones (“Sightseers,” “Kill List”), along with Robin Gutch (“’71,” “Kill List”) for production company Warp Films. Warp’s recent credits include “’71,” directed by Yann Demange (Official Competition, Berlin, co-produced with Crab Apple Films), and other titles such as Chris Morris’ “Four Lions,” Richard Ayoade’s “Submarine” and Shane Meadows’ film and TV franchise “This is England.” The company’s most recent production was “The Last Panthers” for Sky Atlantic and Canal Plus.

The stage production of “Ghost Stories” broke box office records when it opened at the Liverpool Playhouse and Lyric Hammersmith, before transferring to the West End’s Duke of York’s theater and later playing Toronto, Moscow, Sydney, Shanghai and Lima, Peru.