Paramount Pictures is set to release “September 5,” a historical thriller about the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis. The film, which has been a big festival seller, is set to open in select theaters on Nov. 27 before rolling out nationwide in December.
After screening to enthusiastic crowds at the Venice and Telluride film festivals, Oscar experts expect “September 5th” to be a major player during awards season.
Directed by Tim Fellbaum and starring Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin and Leonie Beneš, “September 5” tells the story of the ABC Sports crew covering the terrorist attack at the Summer Olympics in Germany. The gripping drama set in the control room captures the difficult decisions made by the broadcast crew as they live-streamed coverage of Israeli athletes being held hostage.
Varieties Peter Debruge praised “September 5th” for capturing the way the hostage crisis “changed television news forever,” adding that “the film's relevance is also enhanced by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, as the fallout from last year's October 7th attack continues to unfold.”
Paramount acquired Republic Pictures and had worldwide rights to “September 5” ahead of the Venice Film Festival. Shortly after the premiere, studio executives officially opted to acquire “September 5,” according to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news of the acquisition and the release date. Paramount’s slate for the rest of the year includes the animated “Transformers One” (September 20), the horror sequel “Smile 2” (October 18), the Ridley Scott epic “Gladiator II” (November 22) and the Robbie Williams biopic “Better Man” (December 25).
September 5 was produced by German companies BerghausWöbke Filmproduktion and Projected Picture Works. Sean Penn is co-producing the film alongside Philippe Trower, Thomas Wopke, Fehlbaum, John Ira Palmer and John Wildermuth.
