CBS Films has finalised its acquisition of Lasse Hallstrom’s popular Toronto entry Salmon Fishing In The Yemen after paying $5.5m-$6m for US rights and pledging what is understood to be a substantial p&a commitment. A dramatic day ended with two people fainting at the world premiere of Alexandre Courtes’ Midnight Madness horror thriller The Incident.
CBS Films confirmed the deal on Monday evening (12) with domestic sales agent UTA Independent, who arranged financing on the project. The development cements CBS Films’ status as a significant buyer in the space following earlier acquisitions of Gambit and The Woman In Black. Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt star in the cross-cultural dramedy and Lionsgate handles international sales.
Magnet confirmed late on Monday that it had struck a seven-figure deal with CAA and Myriad Pictures for rights to Michael Dowse’s ice hockey comedy Toronto world premiere Goon. Magnet plans a 2012 release through the Ultra VoD platform.
Seann William Scott, Liev Schreiber, Jay Baruchel and Alison Pill star. Magnet’s recently promoted svp of acquisitions Dori Begley and head of legal and business affairs Chris Matson brokered the deal with CAA, attorney James Feldman and Myriad chief Kirk D’Amico, who holds international rights.
A number of titles remain in play as all parties continue to walk an optimistic if understandably cautious path. Adam Wingard’s Midnight Madness entry You’re Next has won admirers and Lionsgate is among buyers courting domestic sales agent CAA.
The Place Beyond The Pines could go within days and is represented jointly by WME and CAA, while the high school comedy Ten Year represented by Paradigm drew a wild reaction at the world premiere on Monday. Others in the mix are SND’s The Incident, which is also handled domestically by Paradigm, as well as Preferred Content’s The Day and Vamps, which screened on Monday afternoon. By midday on Monday ICM had received several bids sight-unseen for Samsara.
Off-piste, WME has been testing the temperature with Emmett/Furla’s crime noir Broken City, which at a reputed $50m budget and boasting a cast of Russell Crowe and Mark Wahlberg, is an attractive proposition ready to go into production this year. Inferno represents international sales.
Fox Searchlight bolstered its awards slate over the weekend when it picked up US rights to Steve McQueen’s sexually explicit drama Shame starring Venice Coppa Volpi winner Michael Fassbender. The studio and film make an unexpected pairing that has left many people scratching their heads.
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