London, January 27, 2022 – Academy and BAFTA Award winner Kevin Macdonald (The Mauritanian, Whitney, The Last King of Scotland) will direct Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Jeff Pope’s (Stan and Ollie, Philomena) inspiring and moving true story The Iceman. The film stars celebrated actor Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale, Shakespeare in Love) as prolific and larger-than-life extreme athlete Wim Hof, whose life’s work has inspired millions and have changed how people think and talk about health and healing. Cornerstone has come on board to handle worldwide sales and will commence sales at the European Film Market.
The Iceman is a Genesius Pictures production and is produced by Debbie Gray (A Christmas No.1, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Mrs. Lowry & Son) and Joseph Fiennes. It will start shooting in November 2022.
As a widower who worked as a postman and struggled to support his four children, Wim turned to the cold and breathing to find peace and strength. Locals would discover Wim delivering their letters with bare feet in the dead of the Netherland’s winter, or swimming alone in ice-cold lakes. The pain forced Wim to focus, and to breathe. It wasn’t long before Wim’s seemingly superhuman abilities were discovered, and his private ritual became an overnight sensation, leading him to be known as THE ICE MAN, and changing the Hof family’s lives forever.
Kevin Macdonald said; “Wim is someone who has suffered a terrible trauma – the loss of his wife – and finds an entirely new way to deal with the depression that comes with that experience. Jeff Pope has written a brilliant script – full of humour and humanity and emotions. In it we are introduced to the Dutch suburbs – a world of crazy stunts, a broken family, a love affair and an epiphany. This is a film about resilience, second chances and the amazing ability of the human body and mind to heal.”
Joseph Fiennes commented; “I am very passionate about The Iceman and I am honoured to play the great Wim Hof. His story is inspirational, at times deeply funny, searingly painful and ultimately healing. In addition to exploring his amazing feats, I hope to bring the lesser-known aspects of his extraordinary life to screen. I am incredibly excited to be in the world class company of Kevin Macdonald, screen writer Jeff Pope and wonderful Debbie Gray, making this experience a chance of a life time.”
