Sundance Sales Roundup: My Idiot Brother, Like Crazy and More Coming to Theaters
Judging by the flurry of high-profile buying activity this weekend at Sundance, it looks as if distributors think independent film may be somewhat profitable again. Let's hope that the theatrical releases of the latest batch of acquisitions don't prove them wrong. Here's a rundown of the next Sundance films headed to a theater near you, including Paul Rudd as a hippie, this year's seminal indie love-story, and the Antonio Banderas/Snoop Dog thrill ride you've been waiting for.
The Film: The Big Bang
The Distributor: Fox Searchlight
What is it?: An "action-packed thrill ride" of some sort starring Antonio Banderas James Van Der Beek, Sam Elliott and Snoop Dogg.
Release Date: The Second Quarter of 2011
[Deadline]
The Film: Homework
The Distributor: Fox Searchlight
What is it?: A privileged, fatalistic teenager meets a complicated girl who may turn his life around. Yep, it's still Sundance. Emma Roberts and Freddie Highmore co-star.
Release Date: 2011
[Deadline]
The Film: Like Crazy
The Distributor: Paramount and Indian Paintbrush
What is it?: A British college student falls for an American student, but then Visa troubles force them to go long distance with their love. And I guess things get, like...crazy? Sorry. It stars Felicity Jones, Jennifer Lawrence and Anton Yelchin. The title and synopsis make it sound like another hip love story told by a quirky commercial director a la 500 Days of Summer, but early positive reviews have said that the film is heartfelt and amazingly well-acted.
Release Date: Unknown.
[Deadline]
The Film: Margin Call
The Distributor: Roadside Attractions and Lion's Gate
What is it? An ensemble drama with Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell and Stanley Tucci that takes place during the 24-hour period at the start of the financial collapse of 2008. Escapists, look elsewhere.
Release Date: Unknown.
[Deadline]
The Film: My Idiot Brother
The Distributor: The Weinstein Company and Ron Burkle
What is it?: Ensemble family comedy in which Paul Rudd plays a paroled hippie pot-dealer who wreaks lovable havoc on the lives of his sisters (Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, Elizabeth Banks) as he lives in each of their apartments. This one's from the producers of Little Ms. Sunshine, so expect a slightly heart-warming, slightly edgy dysfunctional family comedy with one of the most likable casts of all-time.
Release Date: Unknown, but it's going wide!
[Deadline]
The Film: Red State
The Distributor: Kevin Smith
What is it?: Kevin Smith's evangelical horror/action movie! You know this one!
Release Date: The film's supposed to hit theaters October 19, but first Smith's taking this one on tour first. See it early for more money in these locations:
March 5th -- Radio City Music Hall, New York
March 6th -- Wilbur Theater, Boston
March 8th -- Harris Theater, Chicago
March 9th -- State Theater, Minneapolis
March 10th -- Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor
March 11th -- Clowes Memorial Hall, Indianapolis
March 12th -- Midland Theater, Kansas City
March 14th -- Clark State Pac, Springfield, OH
March 22nd -- Paramount Theater, Denver
March 26th -- McCalister theater, New Orleans
March 28th -- Paramount Theater, Austin
March 29th -- Cobb Energy Center, Atlanta
April 4th -- McCaw Hall, Seattle
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