EXCLUSIVE: Renowned three-time Oscar nominee Ralph Fiennes is set to collaborate once again with producer Tessa Ross, known for her work on Conclave, along with Studiocanal, for the upcoming biopic Unbeaten. This film will delve into the life of the iconic British horse racing trainer Henry Cecil and his celebrated horse, Frankel.
Fiennes will not only portray Henry Cecil but will also take on the role of executive producer for the project, which is scheduled to begin filming next year.
The screenplay, penned by Bash Doran, a WGA nominee known for Boardwalk Empire and a consulting producer on Beef, will be directed by BAFTA award-winning filmmaker Nora Fingscheidt, recognized for her project System Crasher. Tessa Ross will produce for House Productions, with Rory Aitken producing for Escapade Pictures. The film also has the support of 42 and has been developed with backing from BBC Film and Access Entertainment, which has also been involved with other notable works like Conclave and The Zone Of Interest.
Studiocanal is fully financing Unbeaten, and plans to release it theatrically across its markets in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the Benelux countries, Australia, and New Zealand. The executive producers include Anna Marsh, Ron Halpern, and Joe Naftalin of Studiocanal, alongside Fiennes and Doran. Studiocanal will manage worldwide sales for the film.
Henry Cecil, who was knighted by the Queen in 2011, is a legendary figure in horse racing, having been a ten-time champion trainer in the UK. His most famous horse, Frankel, is celebrated for an undefeated run, capturing ten prestigious Group 1 victories and is often hailed as the greatest European thoroughbred, often compared to the American champion Secretariat.
The film will portray the poignant and challenging final years of Cecil’s life as he triumphantly rebuilds his career amid personal turmoil, tabloid scandals, health struggles, and a fallout with industry powerhouses. Central to his revival was his relationship with Frankel and the rekindling of his marriage with his third wife, Jane McKeown.
Tony Rushmer, the author of The Triumph of Henry Cecil: The Authorised Biography, serves as a consultant for the project.
Ralph Fiennes expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I was completely unaware of Henry Cecil’s remarkable legacy until I read Bash Doran’s screenplay. I felt compelled and moved by Henry’s story, especially his journey alongside the magnificent horse Frankel. Henry remains a complex and competitive personality within the niche world of horse racing. I’m thrilled to reunite with producer Tessa Ross and collaborate with Rory Aitken and Studiocanal, and I’m particularly eager to work under Nora Fingscheidt’s direction. Her immersive style and commitment to authenticity are truly inspiring. I was deeply impressed by her film The Outrun.”
This film marks a significant second collaboration between Fingscheidt and Studiocanal following the UK release of the BAFTA-nominated The Outrun, which starred Saoirse Ronan.
Fiennes is represented by 42 Management and Production, CAA, and SOWDLLP. Fingscheidt is represented by Casarotto Ramsay & Associates, Ilene Feldman Management, and Homebase, while Doran is represented by UTA, Untitled, and Schreck Rose.
Read more about this topic:
Ralph Fiennes To Star In Film About Henry Cecil & Top Horse Frankel
