Neon has secured worldwide distribution rights to Steven Soderbergh’s film The Christophers, with plans for a theatrical release in 2026. This partnership marks Neon’s second project with Soderbergh, following their earlier collaboration on the thriller Presence earlier this year.
Details About The Christophers and Its Cast
The Christophers features a cast led by Ian McKellen, Michaela Coel, Jessica Gunning, and James Corden. McKellen stars as Julian Sklar, an aging artist who has not painted in years and faces financial hardship. His estranged children, played by Corden and Gunning, eager to secure their inheritance, enlist an art forger portrayed by Coel to finish a pivotal work from Julian’s past.
Critical Reception and Industry Context
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received strong acclaim. Variety’s chief film critic Peter Debruge described it as a “crackling original drama,” praising McKellen and Coel as
“two top-notch English actors of wildly different backgrounds and styles at the top of their respective games.”
Neon will also handle international sales, while Department M produced and financed the film. The screenplay was written by Ed Solomon, known for No Sudden Move, with Neon’s Alison Cohen negotiating the deal through CAA Media Finance on the filmmakers’ behalf.
Upcoming Projects and Broader Neon Slate
Alongside The Christophers, Neon recently acquired U.S. rights to the music documentary Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert. The independent studio will soon release Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or-winning film It Was Just an Accident, Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, signaling a diverse and ambitious slate for upcoming months.
Steven Soderbergh The Christophers strengthens Soderbergh’s evolving relationship with Neon and positions the film for significant attention given its celebrated cast and critical praise. Its 2026 launch will likely generate anticipation among audiences familiar with Soderbergh’s notable work, which includes titles like Ocean’s 11, Contagion, Erin Brockovich, and Traffic. This theatrical debut also highlights Neon’s continued focus on distinctive, auteur-driven cinema.
