Magnolia Lands June Squibb Sundance Comedy ‘Thelma’

Magnolia Pictures has landed the North American rights to June Squibb comedy Thelma, which premiered out of the Sundance Film Festival. A wide theatrical release is planned.

Josh Margolin directed the feature that follows a 93-year-old grandmother (Squibb) who gets conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson (Fred Hechinger) and sets out on a treacherous quest across Los Angeles, accompanied by an aging friend (the late Richard Roundtree, in one of his final roles) and his motorized scooter, to reclaim what was taken from her.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

• 'Porcelain War' Review: Intimate Reflection on Making Art in Wartime Ukraine Is Beautiful but Frustrating

• 'Reinas' Review: An Understated Portrait of a Peruvian Family Navigating Political Turmoil

• 'Ponyboi' Review: River Gallo and Dylan O'Brien Star in a Sexy, Sweaty New Jersey Fever Dream

Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, and Malcolm McDowell also star.

Reads THR‘s review of the film, “Thelma is sweet and poignant, sentimental without getting sappy. Just the fact that it gives Squibb the first leading screen role of her seven-decade career makes it a satisfying watch.”

Zoë Worth and Chris Kaye of Bandwagon produced the film, alongside Nicholas Weinstock of Invention Studios, Benjamin Simpson, and Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani of Zurich Avenue. Executive Producers are Squibb, Hechinger and Tobias Gutzwiller.

CAA Media Finance negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

• Most Anticipated Movie Releases of 2024

• ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy Cast, Then and Now

• Eight Actors Who Have Played Willy Wonka in Films and on Broadway