Leading sales, finance and production company Protagonist Pictures is launching worldwide sales and reveals a first look image for Glenrothan, the feature directorial debut from Emmy and Golden Globe winner Brian Cox, best known for playing the ruthless family patriarch Logan Roy in HBO’s hit “Succession.”  The company will also screen exclusive footage for buyers at the upcoming American Film Market. The announcement came today from Protagonist’s CEO, Dave Bishop. Lionsgate, which co-developed the project with London based studio Nevision, has taken U.K. rights on the family drama, which recently wrapped production in Cox’s homeland of Scotland.

Cox will also star alongside BAFTA, Tony and Emmy Award winner Alan Cumming (GoldenEye, “The Good Wife”), Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, See How They Run), and Alexandra Shipp (Barbie, Anyone But You).

Picture credit Graeme Hunter

Glenrothan is produced by Brian Cox, Neil Zeiger, Crystine Zhang (Prisoner’s Daughter, Lee), Phin Glynn (Argentina 1985, Kill The Jockey), Nic Crum (Book of Love), James Cabourne and Vladimir Zemtsov (Club Zero). The film is co-produced by Nevision and Blazing Griffin Pictures in association with Screen Scotland, Oval-5, Gold Rush Pictures, Head Gear, Infinity Hill and Lionsgate.

After 35 years in Chicago, Donal (Cumming) reluctantly returns to the Scottish Highlands to make amends with his estranged older brother, Sandy (Cox). Sandy needs Donal to take over the family’s whisky distillery or he will be forced to sell and give up on the family’s legacy. But their reunion forces the brothers to confront the past and the real reason Donal left Glenrothan.

“Glenrothan is a poignant, funny and powerful story about the universal themes of family and heritage, set against the stunning backdrops of Scotland and steeped in the world of whisky,” said Bishop. “Brian is an undeniable talent, both behind and in front of the camera, and is joined by the exceptional Alan Cumming – as such we are delighted to introduce buyers to this special film when we debut exclusive footage at the upcoming AFM.”

Neil Zeiger, Lead Producer added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed helping bring Glenrothan, Brian’s ‘love letter to Scotland’, to the screen.  Working with our incredible cast led by Alan, Shirley and Alexandra, Brian directed the film brilliantly.  A universal story, wonderful performances and stunning images define the film.  I am confident Glenrothan will compel and captivate audiences wherever in the world they are.” 

Protagonist Pictures will boost their AFM slate with Glenrothan, adding the film to their

buzzy festival and market titles including the Venice, TIFF and San Sebastian selection Kill the Jockey, directed by Luis Ortega and recently selected as Argentina’s feature film contender for the 2025 Academy Awards; Samir Oliveros’ TIFF title, The Luckiest Man in America, starring Emmy and Golden Globe winner Paul Walter Hauser; the genre-bending comedy Sister Midnight, which recently screened at the London Film Festival and was nominated for Cannes’ Camera D’Or; and from directors Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, and Galen Johnson, the political horror-comedy Rumours, which debuted at Cannes before going on to screen at Toronto, San Sebastian, New York and London Film Festivals.

ABOUT PROTAGONIST PICTURES

Led by Dave Bishop alongside George Hamilton and James Pugh, Protagonist Pictures is a sales, finance, and production company with a proven track record in outstanding films and commercial successes. Based in the UK, the company handles films from around the world, always maintaining a strong focus on filmmakers with exceptional vision and storytelling skills. Protagonist Pictures has championed groundbreaking filmmakers since its inception, including Chloe Zhao, Yorgos Lanthimos, Sean Baker, Rose Glass, Taiki Waititi and Pawel Pawlikowski. 

Protagonist Pictures just had three films premiering in the Fall festivals, with Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, starring Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce, premiering in Venice to stellar reviews, Luis Ortega’s “Kill the Jockey, starring Nahuel Perez Biscayart and Ursula Corbero, playing in Venice in Official Competition and TIFF, and “The Luckiest Man in America”, by Samir Oliveros, starring Paul Walter Hauser, Walton Goggins and Shamier Anderson, also debuting at TIFF to sterling reviews. 

The current slate also includes Adam Scott’s edge of your seat thriller “Double Booked”, starring Adam Scott, Zazie Beetz, Sterling K Brown and Alexandra Daddario, and the charming NY set comedy “Encore”, produced by Temple Hill and directed by Simon Curtis, with Glenn Close, Jeremy Irons, Henry Winkler and Don Johnson.  

Protagonist Pictures also handled international sales Eli Craig’s highly anticipated horror adaptation “Clown in a Cornfield”, from the producers of “Smile”. Other recent titles include Sundance and Berlin film festival selection “The Outrun” starring Saoirse Ronan and Paapa Essiedu, Thordur Palsson’s elevated horror “The Damned”, starring Odessa Young and Joe Cole, and premiering at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, both of which Protagonist also executive produced. The ensemble comedy “Rumours,” directed by Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson, led by Cate Blanchett and Alicia Vikander, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival., and “Sister Midnight”, starring Radhika Apte, Ashok Pathak and Chhaya Kadam, and directed by Karan Kandhari, which also premiered in Cannes at the Director’s Fortnight.