Berlin: Stephen Fry Producing U.K. Comedy ‘Croak’ Starring David Thewlis, Juliette Lewis (Exclusive)

Zoe Kazan, Craig Roberts and Ken Stott are also set to star in the darkly comic heist film, written by Thewlis and being introduced at the European Film Market.

Harry Potter and The Theory of Everything star David Thewlis is set to appear alongside Juliette Lewis and Zoe Kazan in Croak, a darkly comic British heist movie to be directed by Kevin Thomas from a script by Thewlis.

The film – which will also star up-and-comer Craig Roberts (The Fundamentals of Caring, 22 Jump Street), Ken Stott (Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, The Hobbit), Julia Gardner (Grandma) and Shirley Henderson (Trainspotting) – is being produced by U.K.-based Sprout Pictures, founded by Stephen Fry and Gina Carter, alongside Thomas Thomas Films and The Development Partnership. Principal photography is set to start in July 2016.

Croak is based on Sunday Roast, Thomas’ short film that screened at the London Film Festival in 2015 and takes a comedic look at the ludicrous quirks of the film industry, which are thrown into sharp relief when a young actor meets a twisted mortician.

13 Films is handling international rights to the project and will introduce the film to buyers at the European Film Market in Berlin. UTA is arranging financing for the film and handling the U.S. rights.

“This is a supremely funny script with an all-star comedy cast to bring it to life,” said Tannaz Anisi, president of 13 Films. “The amazing actor and writer David Thewlis is joined by some of the best of both British and U.S. talent to produce, direct and star in this adventure to bring his hilarious story to the big screen.”

Philippa Thomas of Thomas Thomas Films added: “David’s script is just brilliant and I can’t wait to see how Kevin and this wonderful cast bring it to life.”

Fry is set to host the BAFTA awards in London on Sunday.