Focus Features to Release Stephen Hawking Drama THEORY OF EVERYTHING in November

Working Title Films' Theory of Everything will be released domestically by Focus Features in exclusive engagements beginning Friday, November 7th, 2014. Focus CEO Peter Schlessel made the announcement today.

Academy Award winner James Marsh (Man on Wire) helms the romantic drama starring Eddie Redmayne (of Working Title's blockbuster LES MISERABLES) as theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, world-famous as the author of A Brief History of Time, opposite Gotham Independent Film Award winner Felicity Jones (Like Crazy). The movie explores the excitement of the 1960s for Stephen as he studies at Cambridge University. At the dawn of a brilliant life's work, he falls passionately in love with arts student Jane Wilde. Their relationship leads him through personal and scientific challenges and breakthroughs, and as his world opens up he opens up the entire world to new ways of seeing. Jane's memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen inspired the new film; the screenplay is by Anthony McCarten, who is producer on the film with Lisa Bruce (producer of Working Title's Mary and Martha) and Working Title co-chairs Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.

The cast of Theory of Everything also includes two-time Academy Award nominee Emily Watson and David Thewlis (Harry Potter). The creative team also includes cinematographer Benoît Delhomme (Lawless), production designer John Paul Kelly (Working Title's About Time), costume designer Steven Noble (Under the Skin), and film editor Jinx Godfrey (marking her seventh feature with Mr. Marsh).

Mr. Schlessel commented, "This extraordinary love story between one of the greatest minds of our time, Stephen Hawking, and his first wife Jane is profoundly moving and inspirational, with heart and humor. Under the dynamic direction of James Marsh, Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones deliver performances of stunning emotional power."

Focus Features' successful collaborations with Working Title Films have included such hits as The World's End, Pride & Prejudice, and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; and the Academy Award-winning Anna Karenina and Atonement.

Working Title Films, co-chaired by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner since 1992, is one of the world's leading film production companies. Founded in 1983, Working Title has made over 100 films that have grossed more than $6 billion worldwide. Its films have won 10 Academy Awards, 35 BAFTA Awards, and prizes at the Cannes and Berlin International Film Festivals.

Focus Features (www.focusfeatures.com) makes, acquires, and releases movies from rising and established talent and filmmakers. The company is moving forward with a diverse slate of films, with most being wide releases appealing to a range of moviegoers. Staying true to the company's roots, the slate will also include several specialty films each year.

Currently in release from Focus Features is the subversive comedy Bad Words, directed by and starring Jason Bateman. In addition to Theory of Everything, upcoming Focus films include The Signal, which world-premiered at the Sundance Film Festival; Wish I Was Here, the new comedy from actor/director Zach Braff; the true-life dramatic thriller Kill the Messenger, starring Jeremy Renner; Black Sea, the suspenseful adventure thriller starring Jude Law for Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald; The Boxtrolls, the new family event movie from LAIKA, directed by Anthony Stacchi and Graham Annable with a voice cast that includes Ben Kingsley, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Elle Fanning, and Tracy Morgan; and Fifty Shades of Grey, the highly anticipated film adaptation of E L James #1 bestselling book that is being directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.

Photo by Walter McBride