Copyright Variety
The Mise-En-Scène Company has acquired worldwide sales rights to “Billy Knight,” a meta drama starring Al Pacino, ahead of next week’s American Film Market (AFM). The acquisition marks a significant expansion for the boutique sales company, following its recent pickup of David Krumholtz’s “Forelock.” The deal, estimated to be in the eight-figure range, positions “Billy Knight” as a major addition to MSC’s 2025 slate as the company continues its push into prestige, star-driven cinema. Marking the directorial debut of Alec Griffen Roth, “Billy Knight” follows aspiring filmmakers Alex (Charlie Heaton of “Stranger Things”) and Emily (Diana Silvers of “Booksmart”) as they navigate the path between youthful ambition and true artistic expression. When Alex discovers a box of unfinished scripts and a handkerchief bearing the name “Billy Knight,” he sets out to unravel his late father’s creative legacy. Pacino stars as the enigmatic titular figure, described as part muse, part ghost of cinema past. Sara Sampaio (“Superman”) and Angela Sarafyan (“Westworld,” “Superman”) round out the ensemble. The film hails from Firebrand, a next-generation entertainment group launched in March 2022 and led by Alec Roth, Josh Clayton, Kirk Martin, Tuan Bui and Peter Morgan. The company’s debut feature, “Desert Road,” will be released theatrically by Firebrand in 2026. “Firebrand is all about purposeful disruption,” said producer Clayton. “We stand for innovation, imagination, and intelligence, signing with MSC is proof of that. ‘Billy Knight’ takes this spirit and channels it into something timeless.” Kirk Martin, Firebrand co-founder, added: “Cinema is about legacy and reinvention in equal measure. ‘Billy Knight’ is both a love letter to those who dare to dream and a challenge to those who forget why they did.” Paul Yates, CEO of The Mise-En-Scène Company, said: “‘Billy Knight’ is a beautiful homage to the love of cinema. Pacino has been woven into our collective screen experience for half a century, and we are honored to be representing a masterful performance from one of the greats. This film is intimate yet epic, nostalgic yet alive with modern pulse.” The deal was brokered by Paul Yates and Rory MacDonald for The Mise-En-Scène Company, which is launching world sales at AFM.
