A little over a year after making a worldwide deal for Tenzing, a new film based on the true story of sherpa Tenzing Norgay and his 1953 summiting of Mount Everest, Apple has found its lead in Genden Phuntsok (Jinpa), who will play the title role.
The news comes days after Apple’s announcement that BAFTA nominee Ruth Madeley will lead its disability rights drama Being Heumann, based on the bestselling memoir by Judy Heumann, from CODA Oscar winner Siân Heder. Production is currently underway, and you can check out a first-look still of Phuntsok above.
As previously announced, Tom Hiddleston co-stars in Tenzing as New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary, with Willem Dafoe set to portray English expedition leader, Colonel John Hunt, and Caitríona Balfe on board for the role of Jill Henderson, a friend of Tenzing who helped organize trips up Mount Everest. Thinley Lhamo (Shambhala) will round out the cast as Tenzing’s wife, Dawa.
In 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, both outsiders on a British Expedition, defied insurmountable odds to achieve what was once thought impossible, reaching the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest. After six previous attempts, Tenzing risked everything for one final venture. He had to navigate treacherous politics and perilous weather as he embarked on the most significant climb of his life. Through it all, he did so with humor, warmth, and generosity towards his fellow climbers, but also deep reverence and respect for the sacred Mother Goddess of his mountain, Jomolungma.
Luke Davies (Lion) penned the script for the biopic. Pic’s director is Jennifer Peedom, who has a close relationship with the Tenzing family and the Sherpa community following her work on the BAFTA-nominated documentary, Sherpa. Producers include Liz Watts, Emile Sherman and Iain Canning for See-Saw Films, alongside Desray Armstrong, Peedom and Davies. Norbu Tenzing (son of Tenzing Norgay), Simon Gillis and David Michôd will serve as executive producers, with Pravesh Sahni co-producing and Rakesh Singh line producing for Itop Film Productions.
A Chinese actor of Tibetan descent, Phuntsok is best known for turns in films like Jinpa and Wind. Lhamo has appeared in films including Shambala, Hari, and Naakaa. Neither appears to have U.S. reps at this time.
