Entertainment

Danny Boyle opens Venice Film Festival with Murdoch drama 'Ink'

Actor Guy Pearce says Rupert Murdoch welcomed his casting in the film depicting the 1969 takeover of The Sun.

Updated Sep 2, 2026 · 13:19 UTC2 reports

The short version

Director Danny Boyle's new film 'Ink' opened the 83rd Venice Film Festival, dramatizing Rupert Murdoch's 1969 purchase and reshaping of the British newspaper The Sun.
Actor Guy Pearce stated that Murdoch's daughter Elisabeth informed him that Murdoch was pleased with Pearce's casting as the media mogul.
The film will see a select U.S. theatrical rollout in December before streaming on Netflix in the U.S. and Latin America, alongside international theatrical releases handled by Studiocanal in January.

Danny Boyle's film 'Ink' serves as the opening screening and Golden Lion competitor at the 83rd Venice Film Festival.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]
The movie is adapted from James Graham's stage play and dramatizes Rupert Murdoch's 1969 acquisition of The Sun alongside editor Larry Lamb.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]
Guy Pearce revealed that Elisabeth Murdoch communicated that her father was very pleased with Pearce portraying him.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]
Playwright and screenwriter James Graham noted that Murdoch watched the original stage production twice, on both the West End and Broadway.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]
The film stars Guy Pearce as Rupert Murdoch, Jack O'Connell as Larry Lamb, and Claire Foy as Jules Davies.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Netflix will distribute the film in the U.S. and Latin America on January 8 following a limited U.S. theatrical run starting December 11, while Studiocanal manages international theatrical releases.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]

Rupert Murdoch's reaction to the finished film remains unknown, as Pearce noted Murdoch had not yet viewed the completed movie.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]