STARRING: MICKEY ROURKE, ELLEN BARKIN, ELIZABETH McGOVERN, FOREST WHITAKER, LANCE HENRIKSEN, MORGAN FREEMAN

DIRECTED BY WALTER HILL

Looks can be deceptive in Walter Hill’s mean and moody crime thriller JOHNNY HANDSOME - starring MICKEY ROURKE (Angel Heart) - making its worldwide UHD debut on August 17 as part of STUDIOCANAL’s Cult Classics range, with a brand new 4K restoration, new extras, and a 12 page booklet, with striking new artwork by Thomas Hodge (aka The Dude Designs), and an O-card. The film is also released on Blu-ray and Digital.

Based on the book by John Godey (author of The Taking of Pelham 123), JOHNNY HANDSOME, the story of a rehabilitated criminal with a new identity who is drawn back into the world of crime, is directed with real panache by action thriller specialist Hill (The Driver, Southern Comfort). It features an outstanding lead performance by Rourke, as well as a fantastic all-star cast including Ellen Barkin (Tender Mercies), Elizabeth McGovern (The Commuter), Morgan Freeman (Driving Miss Daisy), Forest Whitaker (Ghost Dog) and cult favourite Lance Henriksen (Aliens) on villainous good form. The film has a searing score by the legendary Ry Cooder (Paris, Texas), and slick, luminous cinematography of the steamy New Orleans location by Matthew F Leonetti (Hill’s Extreme Prejudice).

Described by the Washington Post as ‘ruthlessly efficient’, JOHNNY HANDSOME is a slick, taut, action-packed thriller that builds to a nerve-wracking showdown over a suitcase of cash, and showcases one of Rourke’s coolest and most underrated screen appearances.
SYNOPSIS: After being double crossed during a robbery and thrown in prison, a deformed gangster undergoes a face transplant and rehabilitation, but his desire for revenge against those who wronged him remains...

JOHNNY HANDSOME is available to buy on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and Digital from 17th August 2026 and available to pre-order.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
NEW Interview with Elizabeth McGovern
NEW Audio commentary by filmmaker Edgar Pablos with film historians Nathaniel Thompson and Howard S. Berger
NEW Audio commentary by film critics Alain Silver and James Ursini
Audio commentary with film critic/author Walter Chaw
Audio commentary with film historians Daniel Kremer and Scout Tafoya
Codes to Live By (2020): Walter Hill on Johnny Handsome
Wordsmith: Interview with writer Ken Friedman
Eye of the Beholder: Interview with makeup artist Michael Westmore
Action Man: Interview with stuntman Allan Graf
Trailer

The 4K UHD and Blu-ray both include a 12 page booklet with new essay from Peter Raleigh

Certificate: 15
Running Time: 94mins approx.

For further information please contact:
Fetch Publicity | Josh Stevens | josh@fetch.fm

Images available from: Studiocanalpress.co.uk
Facebook.com/StudiocanalUK @studiocanaluk @StudiocanalUK

ABOUT STUDIOCANAL (a CANAL+ Company)
STUDIOCANAL, CANAL+’s in-house studio, is Europe’s leading film and television studios, with worldwide production and distribution capabilities. It operates directly in nine major European markets including Austria, Benelux, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as in Australia and New Zealand, and offices in the United States and China. STUDIOCANAL finances, produces, and distributes 200 films per year. It owns one of the most prestigious catalogues in the world and the largest catalogue of European titles, boasting more than 9 400 titles from 60 countries. With a catalogue spanning 100 years of film history, STUDIOCANAL has invested close to 25 million euros into the 4K restoration of nearly 1 000 classic feature films over the past 7 years.

STUDIOCANAL also produces over 15 series each year, including local creations and premium international co-productions, and distributes its scripted productions and CANAL+ Originals globally (2,000 hours of current and library content in distribution). Projects are produced in-house by STUDIOCANAL or through its worldwide network of production companies, including 2e Bureau, Flab, Kissman, Pernel, Upside and Grands Ducs Films in France; Birdie Pictures, Urban Myth Films, Strong Film & Television, Sunny March TV and Brock Media in the UK; Bambú Producciones and Te Espero en Marte in Spain; Lailaps Films and STUDIOCANAL Series in Germany; Opus TV in Poland; Sam Productions in Denmark; Dingie in Belgium; and The Picture Company in the United States.

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