The Splendid Thing
"Some stories find you."
A film by Matthew Modine
The pitch
Directed by Matthew Modine and written by Stephen Wallis and Matthew Modine. A $9M production with a powerhouse ensemble — Liam Neeson, Matthew Modine, John Cleese, Vanessa Redgrave, Dustin Hoffman, and Ben Stiller.
Why back Matthew?
Investors back people more than projects. Here's the body of work behind The Splendid Thing.
Directed by Matthew Modine and written by Stephen Wallis and Matthew Modine. A $9M production with a powerhouse ensemble — Liam Neeson, Matthew Modine, John Cleese, Vanessa Redgrave, Dustin Hoffman, and Ben Stiller.
Previous work
The Martini Shot
2026Existential comedy starring Matthew Modine, John Cleese, and Derek Jacobi. 99% financed on Indie Planet.
Filmmaker updates & press
Every new beat — casting, festival news, set diaries, press coverage — posted here first for backers.
- VarietyMay 11, 2026Variety: Hyde Park launching ‘The Splendid Thing’ at Cannes
Hyde Park International is launching worldwide sales on the Modine-directed feature at the Marché du Film.
Read on Variety - CastingMay 9, 2026Ensemble locked: Neeson, Modine, Cleese, Redgrave, Hoffman, Stiller
All six leads have signed on. Schedules clear for a Q3 2026 shoot in Italy and France.
- FestivalMay 8, 2026Selected for Marché du Film, Festival de Cannes
‘The Splendid Thing’ joins the Cannes market for international sales and co-financing conversations.
What this film is
A comedic fantasy about an frustrated author who meets characters from his novels while on a book tour in Europe.
Why we're raising
A $9M production with a powerhouse ensemble — Liam Neeson, Matthew Modine, John Cleese, Vanessa Redgrave, Dustin Hoffman, and Ben Stiller — closing out the final $250K of financing through the Indie Planet community. Marché du Film, Festival de Cannes selection.
Choose how you back this film
- Digital screening pass
- Name in credits
- Behind-the-scenes newsletter
- Everything in Supporter
- Signed digital script
- Monthly producer Q&A
- Early festival tickets
- Set visit (one day)
- 0.05% revenue share
- Associate Producer credit
- Premiere invite (+1)
- Co-Producer credit
- 1% revenue share
- Speaking role consideration
- Lifetime royalty statements
Share the campaign — every backer brought in expands the audience the film opens to.
Insider tier and above get invited to monthly producer calls during the shoot.
Distributors, sales agents, and post houses can request the full investor deck from the team.