Sony Pictures Classics Acquires North American Rights to WWII Thriller "Nuremberg"
Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) has secured the North American distribution rights for "Nuremberg," a gripping World War II thriller directed by James Vanderbilt. This historical drama features Russell Crowe portraying German war criminal Hermann Göring, alongside Rami Malek as Douglas Kelley, the American psychiatrist who conducted interviews with Göring in the aftermath of the war.
This acquisition marks a reunion between SPC and Vanderbilt, as the distributor previously released his acclaimed film "Truth" in 2015, which explored the Rathergate scandal. "Nuremberg" is set for a theatrical release on November 7, 2025, strategically aligned with the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg trials, where Allied forces prosecuted leading Nazi figures for their war crimes.
In "Nuremberg," psychiatrist Douglas Kelley faces a daunting task: determining whether Nazi prisoners are mentally fit to stand trial. This leads him into an intense psychological duel with Göring, showcasing the complexities of justice in the wake of unimaginable atrocities. Based on Jack El-Hai’s book "The Nazi and the Psychiatrist," the film is produced by Richard Saperstein, Bradley J. Fischer, Vanderbilt, and several others.
The star-studded cast also includes Michael Shannon, Richard E. Grant, Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Mark O’Brien, Colin Hanks, Lydia Peckham, Wrenn Schmidt, Lotte Verbeek, and Andreas Pietschmann, promising a powerful performance lineup.
James Vanderbilt, who is known for his work on "Zodiac" and has produced over 20 films, expressed his excitement about collaborating with SPC again: “I am beyond thrilled to be reuniting with Michael and Tom and the whole Sony Pictures Classics team, who ten years ago took a chance on me as a first-time director, and whose legacy of championing great films makes them an incredible partner.”
SPC echoed this sentiment, stating, “Written and directed by James Vanderbilt, ‘Nuremberg’ is a major work with a riveting subject matter that remains relevant today, resonating with audiences of all ages. The performances by Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, Rami Malek, and Leo Woodall are among their career bests. ‘Nuremberg’ is poised to be a standout in theaters this fall.”
Financed by Bluestone Entertainment, Walden Media, and Széchenyi Funds of Hungary, "Nuremberg" began its journey in 2011 when Mythology Entertainment acquired the rights to El-Hai’s original article and subsequent book. The worldwide rights were represented by WME Independent, which facilitated the deal with SPC on behalf of the filmmakers.
Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated film as it approaches its release date!
