James McAvoy‘s directorial debut California Schemin‘ about a hip hop hoax has pre-sold to Studiocanal for the U.K. and Ireland and a range of other international markets.
The movie is based on the true story of Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, two friends from Dundee, Scotland, who conned the music industry by using American accents and pretending to be a Californian rap duo called Silibil N’ Brains. The project is based on Bain’s autobiography of the same name, which was re-printed under the title Straight Outta Scotland. The duo’s story was previously told in the 2013 documentary The Great Hip Hop Hoax.
McAvoy will not only direct but also have a supporting role. Séamus McLean Ross (Outlander: Blood of My Blood) and Samuel Bottomley (How to Have Sex) are set for the lead roles. Archie Thomson (Deep State 2) and Elaine Gracie (Romantic Getaway) were responsible for adapting the screenplay
The film, currently in pre-production, is being eyed for an October production start in Scotland. Ransom Films’ Guy J. Louthan (The Call) and Homefront Productions’ Danny Page serve as producers. Stephen Kelliher and Sophie Green are executive producers for Bankside Films.
Bankside is handling international sales, with UTA Independent Film Group taking care of North America.
The company, which is continuing to sell the title at Toronto and AFM, has also reached deals with HBO for Eastern Europe, Estonian Theatrical Distribution for the Baltics, Beta for Bulgaria, MCF for the former Yugoslavia, Cinetel for Hungary, Green Light for Ukraine, NOS Lusomundo for Portugal, EFAR Films Distribution for India, and Front Row for the Middle East.
