Roadside Attractions and Liddell Entertainment have announced their second acquisition of the week, partnering for North America on the highly regarded true-life drama I Love You Phillip Morris.

The partners struck the deal with CAA and WME on behalf of EuropaCorp and will release on December 3. I Love You Phillip Morris premiered at Sundance in 2009 and has had a troubled history. It was originally set for US release through Consolidated Pictures Group, however earlier this year EuropaCorp took back the rights after it claimed Consolidated failed to follow through on financial commitments including payment of a $3m guarantee.

Glenn Ficarra and John Requa co-wrote and co-directed the story starring Jim Carrey as a fraudster who escapes from Texas prisons four times to be with his gay lover. Ewan McGregor also stars.

The story is based on Steve McVicker’s non-fiction book. Andrew Lazar and Far Shariat produced with Luc Besson serving as executive producer.

“Jim and Ewan once again prove themselves to be among the rare group of A-list actors who take the risks, embrace them and wildly succeed,” Roadside co-president Howard Cohen said. “This is a film that everyone has been talking about, and we’re thrilled it became available again, as we had been in hot pursuit of it at Sundance and were disappointed it was one that got away.”

Earlier this week Roadside and Liddell confirmed they had acquired US rights to Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Biutiful.

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