Deadline is reporting that a film version of James Graham's Broadway and West End play Ink is in the works. The project is reportedly being led by director Danny Boyle.
Rupert Goold directed the work's stage premiere, in 2017 at London's Almeida Theatre. The work tracks the creation of infamous U.K. tabloid The Sun. The story focuses on Rupert Murdoch, as his competition with rival The Mirror creates the tabloid wars; and Larry Lamb, The Sun's editor. Bertie Carvel starred as Murdoch with Richard Coyle as Lamb in the original London run, with Jonny Lee Miller playing Lamb for the play's 2019 Broadway bow. Carvel won Olivier and Tony Awards for his performance.
READ: How Broadway’s New Rupert Murdoch Play Ink Became an Onstage Tabloid
Guy Pearce is reportedly in negotiations to play Murdoch on screen, with Jack O'Connell in talks to play Lamb. Graham has adapted the screenplay himself, with filming expected to begin in October. Boyle is also producing, with Tessa Ross, Michael Ellenberg, Tracey Seaward, and Tonia Davis. StudioCanal is on board to finance the project and handle distribution.
The bulk of playwright Graham's work has been for the stage; his Punch comes to Manhattan Theatre Club (which also gave a Broadway premiere to Ink) later this season. His screen credits include X+Y, Coalition, Brexit: The Uncivil War, Quiz, Sherwood, The Way, and Brian and Maggie. His London play Dear England, centered on English football manager Gareth Southgate, is currently being adapted as a four-episode television serial for the BBC. Graham was last represented on Broadway as the book writer of last season's Tammy Faye.
