Julie Delpy, Takehiro Hira, Kathryn Hunter, Kate Dickie and Emma D’Arcy Join Sonoya Mizuno’s Debut ‘Stages’; Focus Takes International

Focus Features has picked up international rights to Sonoya Mizuno‘s directorial debut Stages and will distribute the film via Universal Pictures International. The film’s ensemble cast features Julie Delpy (Meet the Barbarians), Takehiro Hira (Rental Family), Kathryn Hunter (Poor Things), Kate Dickie (Dept. Q) and Emma D’Arcy (Digger). The film’s story is said to follow a young dancer at an elite ballet school who finally earns the lead in a prestigious recital, but her focus is shattered by a family tragedy. Mizuno trained at the Royal Ballet School in London. She then danced in several ballet companies, including the English National Ballet, Dresden Semper Oper Ballet, and Scottish Ballet. A24 has already acquired domestic rights to the pic, which will be produced by Peter Rice and Agile Films’ Myles Payne and Sam Ritzenberg, alongside Alex Garland, with whom Mizuno has had a long on-screen collaboration. Watch on Deadline The production’s creative team includes cinematographer Wyatt Garfield (Late Fame), costume designer Neesha Tulsi Champaneria (Ish), production designer Anna Rhodes (Urchin), editor Shahnaz Dulaimy (Top Boy), hair and make-up artist Natasha Lawes (100 Nights of Hero), casting director Lucy Pardee (Die My Love) and choreographer Hofesh Shechter. Discussing the production, Ritzenberg said: “Sonoya’s script is beautiful and heartfelt, and we’re thrilled to be bringing it to the screen with her. She’s assembled a wonderful cast and creative team, and stepped into directing with real confidence and instinct. We can’t wait for audiences to see it.”