Join The Thursday Murder Club's silver sleuths
Tyneside Cinema to host early screenings
The question is often asked when a film adaptation of a favourite book hits the big screen – have they murdered it?
The omens look good for Richard Osman’s debut bestseller, The Thursday Murder Club, in which residents of a retirement home collectively turn detective.
At the helm was top Hollywood director Chris Columbus, known for Mrs Doubtfire and a raft of Harry Potter films, and a glittering cast includes Helen Mirren (as Elizabeth Best), Celia Imrie (Joyce Meadowcroft), Pierce Brosnan (Ron Ritchie) and Ben Kingsley (Ibrahim Arif).
But nothing’s guaranteed – apart from the fact, in this instance, that the Tyneside Cinema is one of fewer than 50 cinemas outside London chosen to show the film from August 22, ahead of Netflix releasing it to the country, the world and the universe on August 28.
Tickets for the Newcastle screening go on sale on Friday, August 1 and seem certain to be snapped up pronto.
Hannah Ross, the Tyneside Cinema’s head of marketing and engagement, said: “We’re beyond excited to bring this hotly-anticipated adaptation to Tyneside.
“It’s a huge coup for the region and a brilliant reminder that independent cinemas still play a key role in championing standout storytelling.
“We can’t wait to welcome audiences for what promises to be a highlight of our year.”
The Thursday Murder Club – one hour, 58 minutes and with certificate 12A - is billed as “a charming, twist-filled whodunit that blends comedy with intrigue” – and if that floats your boat, book tickets via the Tyneside Cinema box office.
And by way of a postscript, ‘Murder Club’ fans won’t need reminding that the fifth book in this incredibly successful series, The Impossible Fortune, due out on September 25.
Could this end up keeping Chris Columbus as busy as those Harry Potters?