Boyle's Murdoch Film Premieres
Danny Boyle's 'Ink,' exploring Rupert Murdoch's 'The Sun' acquisition, set to open Venice Film Festival
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Danny Boyle's new film "Ink" will open the Venice International Film Festival on September 2, organizers announced. The movie tells the story of media mogul Rupert Murdoch's 1969 takeover of British tabloid The Sun and his partnership with editor Larry Lamb. AP News reported the news, marking a high-profile debut for one of the most anticipated films of the year.
Guy Pearce plays Murdoch and Jack O'Connell plays Lamb in the film. Together, their characters turn The Sun into Britain's most powerful tabloid. The full lineup of films competing for the festival's top prize, the Golden Lion, is expected to be revealed next week.
From Stage Play to Venice Opening Night
"Ink" is based on a play written by James Graham. The play first ran in London and was a hit with critics. It focuses on a pivotal moment in British media history — when Murdoch bought The Sun in 1969 and handed the editor's job to Larry Lamb. The two men then rebuilt the paper from the ground up, according to Yahoo News.
Graham's original stage production made the story feel urgent and modern, even though it is set more than 50 years ago. Boyle, best known for directing "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Trainspotting," now brings that story to the big screen with a major cast behind it.
Guy Pearce and Jack O'Connell Lead the Cast
Guy Pearce takes on the role of Rupert Murdoch. Pearce is an Australian actor known for films like "Memento" and "L.A. Confidential." Jack O'Connell, a British actor who broke through in the TV series "Skins" and the film "Unbroken," plays Larry Lamb. The two leads carry the weight of a story about ambition, power, and the British press, Newsday reported.
Lamb served as The Sun's editor from 1969 to 1981. Under his leadership, the paper's circulation soared. The Sun became the best-selling daily newspaper in Britain — a position it held for decades. The film explores how that transformation happened and what it cost.
Venice Festival Kicks Off September 2
The Venice International Film Festival is one of the oldest and most respected film festivals in the world. It runs each year in late summer on the Italian island of Lido. Opening with "Ink" gives the film instant global attention. The festival has launched Oscar campaigns for major films in the past, according to Local 10.
The full competition slate — the list of films fighting for the Golden Lion — has not yet been released. Organizers say that announcement is expected next week. "Ink" will screen outside the main competition as the opening film, which is a traditional honor given to a high-profile title.
Murdoch's Media Empire Still a Flashpoint Today
Rupert Murdoch built one of the largest media empires in history. His company News Corp owns outlets including Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post. His influence over British politics and media was central to the phone-hacking scandal that rocked the UK in 2011. That makes "Ink" especially charged for modern audiences, KDH News noted.
Murdoch stepped down as chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp in 2023. His son Lachlan now runs the companies. A film about the early days of his rise — told through the lens of a scrappy tabloid — puts the spotlight back on how that empire was first built.
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