Sony picks up Florian Zeller's 'Bunker'

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired U.S. rights to Florian Zeller’s “Bunker,” bringing the director’s latest film into the specialty distributor’s lineup for a late-year awards push and a wider 2027 release. Deadline and Screen Daily reported the deal on Thursday, July 9, and identified Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz and Paul Dano among the film’s lead cast. Screen Daily reported that the agreement also includes Southeast Asian rights and worldwide airline rights excluding France. Deadline reported the deal as a North American acquisition and said Sony Pictures Classics plans an end-of-year qualifying run before expanding the film in 2027. ### What exactly did Sony buy? (deadline.com) Sony Pictures Classics acquired distribution rights to “Bunker” in the United States, according to Deadline’s July 9 report. Screen Daily said the package extends beyond North America to Southeast Asia and worldwide airline rights, excluding France. The Thursday reports did not announce a specific theatrical date. (deadline.com) Deadline said the company is targeting an end-of-year awards corridor, followed by a broader 2027 theatrical release. ### What kind of film is “Bunker”? Florian Zeller wrote and directed “Bunker,” which has been described as a drama-thriller or psychological thriller in trade coverage. (deadline.com) Screen Daily said the film centers on an architect who accepts a commission to build a bunker for a billionaire, a decision that strains his marriage. IMDb’s synopsis describes a married couple of 17 years whose relationship comes under pressure after the husband takes the bunker project for a tech billionaire. That premise aligns with earlier sales coverage cited by FilmNation when the project was introduced to buyers in 2025. ### Who is in the cast around Bardem, Cruz and Dano? Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz were attached to star when the project was unveiled in May 2025. (screendaily.com) FilmNation said at the time that Zeller had written the film in English for the Oscar-winning pair. Paul Dano joined later, with Variety reporting in December 2025 that he had boarded the ensemble. (imdb.com) Deadline’s July 9 deal report also listed Stephen Graham and Patrick Schwarzenegger among the cast. ### Why is Sony Pictures Classics a notable landing spot for Zeller? Florian Zeller won an Academy Award for adapted screenplay for “The Father,” his 2020 feature directorial debut. (filmnation.com) Sony Pictures Classics distributed “The Father” in the United States, making “Bunker” a return pairing between Zeller and the distributor. (variety.com) Screen Daily said the acquisition marks the latest collaboration between Sony Pictures Classics and Zeller. That history matters because “The Father” became a major awards title for the company, including Oscar wins for Zeller and Anthony Hopkins. ### Where does the film stand now? Cineuropa reported in May 2026 that filming had recently wrapped in London and Madrid. (screendaily.com) The outlet said the project was produced as a France-Spain co-production, with Pathé handling France and Elastica Films handling Spain. The next concrete step is Sony Pictures Classics’ release dating. Deadline said the company is planning an end-of-year awards run for “Bunker,” with a wider theatrical rollout to follow in 2027. (screendaily.com) (deadline.com) (cineuropa.org)