Toronto Film Fest: Joy Division, Battle in Seattle Purchased
And Bill gets in on the mix.
ThinkFilm, who ponied up big money ($2 million) for Helen Hunt's Then She Found Me early on in the Toronto bidding wars, has closed the festival with the purchase of another actor-turned-director film, Stuart Townsend's Battle in Seattle, for $2 million.
"We started the festival with the biggest sale, and we ended the festival with the biggest sale," said Mark Urman, head of ThinkFilm's theatrical unit. "It's been a wonderful Toronto for ThinkFilm."
Battle in Seattle stars Charlize Theron, who is caught up in the riots and violence that surrounded the World Trade Organization's 1999 meeting in Seattle.
The Weinstein Company has purchased the theatrical and video rights to Joy Division, Grant Gee's documentary about the rise and demise of the legendary post-punk band. At Cannes in May, the Weinsteins gained Control -- Anton Corbijn's film about Joy Division singer Ian Curtis -- and we're sure cross-promotional fantasies and DVD packages are already dancing around in their heads. We doubt love will be tearing these two apart.
And, finally, the comedy/drama Bill has been purchased by First Look Pictures for $3 million, the largest sale of the fest yet. The film stars Aaron Eckhart as a husband who finds out his wife is cheating on him and hesitantly mentors a teenage girl. Jessica Alba co-stars as a lingerie salesgirl.
"Bill has a solid cast and a bold, funny script," said First Look's Gary Hirsch. "Eckhart was fantastic in No Reservations and Thank You for Smoking, and Bill has the same comedic sensibility. Jessica Alba is box office gold with hits like the Fantastic Four films and Sin City. She is talented, beautiful and makes a great co-star."
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
hewpot on 09-17-2007 03:03 PM
tickle me orange