‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ Movie to Debut on Amazon Prime Video
“Everybody’s Talking About Jamie,” the film adaptation of the popular West End musical, will debut on Amazon’s Prime Video.
The film was originally set to be distributed on October 23, 2020, by the Disney-owned 20th Century Studios, but COVID scrambled those plans and forced the studio to delay the release. Amazon bought distribution rights for an undisclosed sum. “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” will now premiere on September 17, 2021, in over 240 countries and territories.
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During the pandemic, Amazon has snapped up the rights to several movies that were originally intended to debut theatrically, buying the likes of “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” from Universal and “Coming 2 America” and “Without Remorse” from Paramount. Under the leadership of Jennifer Salke, Amazon is trying to release more broadly commercial fare and is moving away from the arthouse movies that it originally focused on, films like “Manchester by the Sea” and “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot.”
“Everybody’s Talking About Jamie,” with its poppy songs and upbeat story about the power of perseverance, definitely slides into feel-good terrain. The film, from New Regency, Film4 and Warp Films, stars Max Harwood as Jamie New. The cast includes Sarah Lancashire, Lauren Patel, Shobna Gulati, Ralph Ineson, Adeel Akhtar, Samuel Bottomley, Sharon Horgan and Richard E. Grant.
The show follows Jamie New (Harwood), a teenager from Sheffield, who dreams of life on stage. His secret career ambition is to become a drag queen. His best friend Pritti (Patel) and his loving mum (Lancashire) shower him with support, while local drag legend Miss Loco Chanelle (Grant) mentors him toward his debut performance. But Jamie also has to contend with an unsupportive father (Ineson), and ignorant school kids.
“’Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ has quickly become one of the most beloved musicals of recent years,” said Salke. “Jamie’s story is one that resonates across all generations — it’s about unconditional love and we know our global audiences will fall in love with Jamie as he overcomes adversity to truly find his authentic self. We are so thrilled to share this joyful and inspirational story with the world.”
“Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” reunites many of the stage show’s original creators. Jonathan Butterell returns as director, the screenplay and lyrics are handled by Tom MacRae and songs are by Dan Gillespie Sells. The score is composed by Sells and Anne Dudley.
“I am thrilled that our film — the story of taking your place in the world with joy, pride and acceptance — will be winging its way across the world with the Amazon Family,” Butterell said. “Let’s come together to celebrate the glorious and fabulous uniqueness of each and every one of us.”
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