Jack O’Connell and Odessa A’zion to star in Studiocanal’s The End of the World as We Know It
‘An Irish Goodbye’ Oscar winners Tom Berkeley, Ross White to write & direct.
Source: Screen Daily · October 5, 2026 at 9:32 PM · AI-assisted report
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CANADA, 6 OCTOBER 2026 —
British actor Jack O’Connell and rising star Odessa A’zion will headline The End of the World As We Know It, a UK-produced feature film backed by Studiocanal, Working Title Films, Film4, and Parkville Pictures, with production set to begin in Canada this November.
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The film, directed by Oscar-winning duo Tom Berkeley and Ross White—who won Best Live-Action Short for An Irish Goodbye in 2023—marks a major investment by Studiocanal, which is fully financing the project while Film4 co-finances and executive produces. The studio will handle worldwide sales and theatrical releases in key territories, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Benelux, Australia, and New Zealand.
O’Connell and A’zion will play star-crossed loners embarking on an epic pilgrimage to "prove the Earth is flat," according to the project’s synopsis. The film is produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title, alongside Olivier Kaempfer of Parkville Pictures. Executive producers include Anna Marsh, Ron Halpern, and Joe Naftalin for Studiocanal, as well as Katherine Pomfret and Thea Paulett for Working Title, and Amanda Drake for Notable Studios.
The project follows a bestselling novel by Osamah Almuslim, though the film’s creative team has shifted—originally directed by Hana Alomair, the production has been retooled under Berkeley and White’s direction. Meanwhile, a separate but equally ambitious UK film, Armand—a €9 million stop-motion animation feature by Dutch director Kees de Boer—has also gained international attention after its Cannes premiere, produced by Keplerfilm.
The announcement comes amid controversy, as conservative politicians have condemned the film, sparking protests against its cast and crew. The project’s financing and distribution deal underscores Studiocanal’s push into high-profile English-language productions, following its acquisition of major film libraries and expansion into global markets.
Production is scheduled to commence in November in Canada, with Studiocanal leading distribution efforts across its territories. The film’s release date remains unconfirmed.
Related: Studiocanal · Canada