I must admit, I have had very little interest in Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, but the recently released international trailer (available at the bottom of this post) as well as an increasing curiosity has changed my mood. Thankfully, word has now come down via Variety that Sony Pictures Classics has acquired Stateside rights to the film, which marks Heath Ledger’s final theatrical performance.
Sharon Swart reports Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group is in advanced talks to pick up the film, which stars Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Andrew Garfield, Verne J. Troyer and Lily Cole. Brought on following Ledger’s death last January, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell came on to take over where Ledger left off as Gilliam’s fantasy adventure allowed for such fiddling.
The film was screened at Cannes this year, but was not immediately picked up for domestic distribution while Lionsgate is set to release the film in Italian and U.K. markets on October 16 with it expanding further throughout the year. Expectations are for it to be released this holiday season in the U.S. with many speculating a limited December 25 release.
I have placed the synopsis directly below the international trailer. Enjoy.
Dr. Parnassus (Plummer) has the extra-ordinary gift of guiding the imaginations of others. With his traveling theatre troupe, Parnassus offers audience members the chance to transcend mundane reality by passing through a magical mirror into a fantastic universe of limitless imagination. However, Parnassus’ magic comes at a price. For centuries he’s been gambling with the devil, Mr. Nick (Waits) who is coming to collect his prize – Parnassus’ precious daughter, Valentina (Cole) on her upcoming 16th birthday. Oblivious to her rapidly approaching fate, Valentina falls for Tony (Ledger), a charming outsider with motives of his own. In order to save his daughter and redeem himself, Parnassus makes one final bet with Mr. Nick which sends Tony, Valentina and the entire theatre troupe on a ride of twists and turns, in and out of London and the Imaginarium’s spectacular landscape.
