9 Year Old Jordana Beatty Set for Title Role in HandMade Films' 'Eloise in Paris'

9 Year Old Jordana Beatty Set for Title Role in HandMade Films' 'Eloise in Paris'

Young Australian Actress to Join Uma Thurman In New Live Action Version of Literary Classic

LOS ANGELES, April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- After an exhaustive search on 4 continents, HandMade Films and director Charles Shyer have cast 9 year old Australian actress Jordana Beatty to play the title role of Eloise in their new live-action feature Eloise in Paris, which begins principal photography August 12th in Paris, New York, and the south of France. Co-written by Charles Shyer with his daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer and Larry Spencer, the film will be produced by Patrick Meehan, Thomas D. Adelman, and Ron Rotholz. Charles Shyer will also executive produce.

Already cast as "Nanny" in this contemporary adaptation of the literary classic is Oscar nominee Uma Thurman, with HandMade Films anticipating an ongoing franchise for the Eloise character. Eloise originally came to fame in the books written by Kay Thompson (and illustrated by Hilary Knight), which tells the story of Eloise's adventures in New York City and beyond.

A native of Sydney, Australia, Beatty was discovered after more than 4000 girls were auditioned for the part of a precocious young girl who lives at the Plaza with her dog, turtle, and of course Nanny. "Jordana is a unique combination of funny, feisty, sweet and soulful...all the qualities that were so much the essence of Kay Thompson's iconic character," commented director Charles Shyer, who is well known as the co-writer and director of such comedy hits as Baby Boom, starring Diane Keaton, and Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride Part II, starring Diane Keaton, Steve Martin, and Martin Short. Shyer also wrote and produced the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, which introduced Lindsay Lohan.

Jordana Beatty is already an experienced young actress in Australia, who has been acting in dramatic television and commercials since age 4.

One of the screen's most respected actresses, Thurman is perhaps best known for her role as The Bride in the Kill Bill series directed by Quentin Tarantino, and her other outstanding film credits include Dangerous Liaisons, Henry & June, and Pulp Fiction, also directed by Tarantino, and for which she earned an Oscar(R) nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Other recent credits include The Producers with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, and Prime with Meryl Streep.

About HandMade Films

George Harrison founded HandMade Films in 1972 and it soon grew to become the leading independent film company in the UK and developed a worldwide reputation. HandMade produced a variety of highly successful films, including Life of Brian, The Long Good Friday, Time Bandits, Withnail & I and Mona Lisa.

HandMade is now a UK public company quoted on the English Stock Exchange. HandMade has offices in London and Los Angeles. HandMade owns and exploits the rights to Eloise, one of the best-known children's characters in the United States.

HandMade International is the London based sales and financial arms of the company whose co-chairmen are Guy Collins and Michael Ryan. HandMade International has been involved in the financing production and the sale of upcoming films such as Manolete, starring Adrien Brody and Penelope Cruz, the animated feature Planet 51, 50 Dead Men starring Sir Ben Kingsley and Jim Sturgess, and 2008's production of The Long Good Friday to be directed by Paul Anderson and released by Sony Pictures.

HandMade chairman is UK and LA based Patrick Meehan.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: HandMade Films

CONTACT: Ian Thomson of McAinsh Consulting, +44 (0)7909 685077,
ian@mcainshconsulting.com, for HandMade Films; or Ronni Chasen,
Ronni@chasenpr.com, or Jeff Sanderson, Jeff@chasenpr.com, both of Chasen &
Company, Los Angeles,
+1-310-274-4400, for Charles Shyer

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