Florence Pugh film 'The Midnight Library' leads Cannes market studio bidding war

Florence Pugh’s fantasy drama The Midnight Library is emerging as one of the most competitive titles at the Cannes Film Market, with multiple major studios in contention for distribution rights.

The film, directed by Lion filmmaker Garth Davis, is currently being pursued by Paramount, Focus Features and Sony for domestic and select international territories.

The project is being sold by Studiocanal, which is expected to retain several regional rights in a structure similar to its previous arrangement on Paddington In Peru.

Industry sources indicate that the deal could become the largest transaction to emerge from this year’s Cannes market, surpassing earlier major acquisitions. The overall value is expected to exceed $30 million once finalised.

The Midnight Library is based on Matt Haig’s bestselling novel, which has sold more than 15 million copies and been translated into 56 languages since its publication in 2020.

Florence Pugh stars as Nora Seed, a woman who finds herself in a liminal library between life and death, where she is given the opportunity to explore alternate versions of her life.

The screenplay has been adapted by Olivier Award winner Laura Wade and Tony nominee Nick Payne. Studiocanal and Blueprint Pictures are producing the project, with Matt Haig serving as executive producer.

Production is currently scheduled to begin pre-production later this year, with filming expected to commence in early 2027.

Studiocanal is also expected to handle theatrical distribution across multiple territories, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Benelux, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Producers on the film include Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Anita Overland and Florence Pugh, with executive production support from Blueprint and Studiocanal executives.