Press Releases

CULVER CITY, Calif., March 22nd, 2015- Sony Pictures Entertainment has closed a deal to adapt the Tony Award-winning Broadway smash "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" into a feature film, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, and Michael De Luca, who serves as the studio's president of Production with Hannah Minghella. The hit show will be adapted by Douglas McGrath, who is also the writer of the musical's book. The film will be produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, who will produce through their Playtone banner, and Paul Blake, who also produced the stage show. Sherry Kondor and Christine Russell will executive produce.

Commenting on the announcement, De Luca said, "Theatrical audiences both on Broadway and in the West End have responded to 'Beautiful' not only to relive Carole King's timeless classics, but to experience the ways they illustrate her triumphant and joyful life story. We're thrilled to be bringing this inspiring and powerful musical to movie audiences everywhere."

For the film, Sony Pictures has obtained the rights to use King's songs from Sony/ATV, as well as rights from Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Cynthia Weil, and Barry Mann, the subjects of the show.

Featuring iconic Goffin/King songs as "The Locomotion," "One Fine Day," "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," as well as King's solo work, "So Far Away," "I Feel the Earth Move," and "You've Got a Friend," "Beautiful" focuses on King's life as she begins her career through her breakthrough as a solo recording artist, including her relationships with Goffin, Weil, and Mann. Mann/Weil's rich catalog is also represented, including "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" and "On Broadway."

Beautiful opened on Broadway in January 2014, where it broke all box office records and is now in its second smash year. The show was nominated for seven Tony Awards and won two, including one for Jessie Mueller Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance as King, and also won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Beautiful will launch a national US Tour in September 2015, and has recently successfully opened on the West End, where it has been nominated for eight Olivier Awards.

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Sony Pictures Entertainment
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