CANAL+ AND SKY ORIGINAL JOIN IN "DJANGO" SERIES TO RENEW THE WESTERN GENRE

Canal+ Création Originale and Sky Original announces a high-concept reinvention of the classic Western Django (loosely based on Sergio Corbucci's feature film) that will be produced as a 10 x 1 hour television series with the award-winning actor Matthias Schoenaerts ("The Danish Girl", "The Mustang", "Bullhead", "Rust and Bone") in the title role, Django.

The series will be produced in English by Italy's leading independent producer Cattleya ("ZeroZeroZero", "Gomorrah the Series"), part of ITV Studios, and by Atlantique Productions ("Midnight Sun", "The Eddy"), the French production company part of Mediawan, for Sky and Canal+. Executive producers on the series include Riccardo Tozzi for Cattleya and Olivier Bibas for Atlantique Productions.

"Django" was commissioned by Nicola Maccanico, Executive Vice President of Programming at Sky Italia, along with Nils Hartmann and Sonia Rovai, who are also Executive Producers at Sky Studios, and was also commissioned for Canal+ by Arielle Saracco, Director of Canal+ Création Originale, and Fabrice de la Patellière. Head of Canal+ Drama.

A Canal+ Création Originale and Sky Original, "Django" will air on Canal+ channels in France, Benelux and Africa and on Sky services in Italy, UK, Ireland, Austria and Germany. Studiocanal has worldwide distribution rights. The ambitious series offers a new take on the western genre with a contemporary and psychological twist.

Director Francesca Comencini says, “I was extremely attracted to this project as it features extremely strong female characters and delivers a thought-provoking reappraisal of masculinity in the Western genre.  It’s a universal story with a narrative that celebrates diversity and minorities.  I am certain “Django” will intrigue and captivate global viewers.”

“We are proud to announce a new ambitious project, ‘Django’,” - said Nicola Maccanico, EVP Programming Sky Italia,  “It fits perfectly with Sky Studios' mission to develop and produce the best original content in Europe and that, once again, confirms our restless ambition to use storytelling to explore and break new ground through our Sky Originals. The Western is one of the most traditional and popular genres with 'Django' one of the best loved films in Italy and around the world. This new series is a fresh, reimagining of the cult classic bringing viewers a contemporary angle and narrative. We are excited to partner again with Francesca Comencini, Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli, a truly outstanding creative team that brought us the hugely popular and critically acclaimed Sky Originals Gomorrah The Series and ZeroZeroZero. Together with Canal+, Cattleya and Atlantique, we can’t wait to bring this story to life for Sky customers across Europe.”

Fabrice de la Patellière, Head of Canal+ Drama, adds, “We are hugely excited to launch the production of 'Django'. We share with the series’ creators, producers and partners the willingness to offer an original and European version of the Western – a mythical and very popular genre.  With such an exceptional series, Canal+ Création Originale is continuing its ambition to be a leading player in European co-production.  Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli have written powerful scripts. Skilled producers Riccardo Tozzi and Olivier Bibas have built an outstanding artistic team around the very talented Francesca Comencini.  We wish them all good luck and success for this fantastic adventure.”

Anne Chérel, EVP Global Sales and Distribution along with Beatriz Campos, SVP Global Sales and Production Financing, TV Series at Studiocanal comment, “With such an acclaimed writing, production and directing line-up, we fell in love with ‘Django’ immediately because of the unique angle brought to a very traditional genre. By highlighting modern themes within a classic Western, the creators will reimagine the genre and explore complex narratives with strong female characters. It was clear to us that with such powerful and diverse characters, ‘Django’ is a compelling story which will resonate with audiences from around the world.“