A week after Fox Searchlight surprised many by scheduling biopic “Hitchcock” for an awards-hungry November release, AFI has announced that the film will open this year’s AFI Fest on Thursday, November 1st.
The world premiere screening will give audiences the first look at Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock and Helen Mirren as his wife, Alma Reville, as well as Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh, Jessica Biel as Vera Miles and James D’Arcy as Anthony Perkins. The film is directed by Sacha Gervasi (“Anvil!”) and also stars Toni Collette, Danny Huston and Michael Stuhlbarg.
READ MORE: Oscars: How Does Fox Searchlight’s Surprise ‘Hitchcock’ Shake Up The Award Season?
“We are honored to celebrate his lasting legacy with the World Premiere of HITCHCOCK – a bloody valentine to his creative genius and the inspired woman at his side. Alfred Hitchcock’s signature style has made him one of the most influential directors in the world,” said Jacqueline Lyanga, Director, AFI FEST, in a statement. “This film pulls back the curtain and takes us behind-the-scenes of his lifelong collaboration with his wife Alma during the making of his 1960 masterpiece PSYCHO – it’s the perfect film to welcome our audience of movie-lovers with on opening night.”
“AFI’s history with Alfred Hitchcock is a proud one, from a Master Seminar at the AFI Conservatory in 1970 to his receiving the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1979,” added Bob Gazzale, President and CEO of the American Film Institute.
Fox Searchlight Pictures will release the film this November. AFI Fest runs November 1-8 in Los Angeles, and will close with Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln.”
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