Copyright Variety
Charlie Plummer, Stephen Graham, Toni Collette, Isabela Merced, Maisy Stella and Sir Anthony Hopkins will star in “Ibelin,” the story of a man with a degenerative muscular disease who enjoyed a rich digital life through “World of Warcraft.” The film will be directed by Morten Tyldum, the Oscar-nominated director of “The Imitation Game.” It is based on the real-life story of Mats Steen — the title is inspired by the name of Steen’s virtual alter ego in the popular videogame. “Ibelin” is written by BAFTA nominee Ilaria Bernardini (“Citadel: Diana”) and Academy Award nominee Hossein Amini (“The Wings of the Dove”) and based on the blog “Musings of Life” by Steen. The film will explore both the group of “World of Warcraft” fans who became admirers of Steen, as well as his loving, funny, chaotic family. Vendôme Pictures is partnering with Pathé on the picture. It follows their collaboration on “CODA,” which won Best Picture at the Oscars. Vendôme Pictures’ Philippe Rousselet and Fabrice Gianfermi are producing alongside Jérôme Seydoux at Pathé and Tyldum and Guri Neby for Neby-Tyldum AS. Vendôme and Pathé are financing the film. Black Bear is representing the international sales rights, while CAA Media Finance represents the domestic rights and will be introducing to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market. Principal photography will take place in Europe in 2026. Plummer most recently starred in Francis Lawrence’s “The Long Walk.” His credits include “All the Money in the World” and “Lean on Pete.” Graham recently earned three Emmys for his work for his heartbreaking performance as a father on the Netflix smash hit “Adolescence,” which he created and starred in. He has also starred in “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” “The Irishman” and “Rocketman.” Collette can currently be seen in the Netflix series “Wayward” and also appeared in “Hereditary,” “Knives Out,” and “The Sixth Sense,” which earned her an Oscar nomination. Merced stars in “The Last of Us” and appeared as Hawkgirl in “Superman.” Stella had the leading role in “My Old Ass” and will star in Maude Apatow’s feature directorial debut “Poetic License.” Hopkins won Oscars for his work in “The Silence of the Lambs” and “The Father.” He also appeared in “Remains of the Day,” “Howard’s End,” and “The Two Popes.” Tyldum is represented by CAA, Anonymous Content and Vendôme. Plummer is represented by Gersh, Untitled, and Peikoff Mahan. Graham is represented by Independent Talent Group and Link Entertainment. Collette is represented by CAA, United Management and Finley Management. Merced is represented by CAA and Peikoff Mahan. Stella is represented by CAA, Entertainment 360 and McKuin Frankel Whitehead. Hopkins is represented by Independent Talent Group and UTA. Bernardini is represented by Casarotto Ramsay & Associates. Amini is represented by WME.
