20th Century Fox has picked up Spanish theatrical rights to Andrucha Waddington’s $20m Spanish-Brazilian historical epic Lope.

The deal was struck between Fox and Lope’s producers Ikiru Films, El Toro Films, Antena 3 Films and Conspiracao in Brazil. Warner Bros has already taken Latin American rights to the film, which has also received the backing of regional broadcaster TeleMadrid and private pay-TV outfit Canal Plus Espana, who will share TV rights with Antena 3.

The film, featuring rising star Alberto Ammann as the 16th century playwright Lope De Vega, has taken 10 years to make and passed through the hands of some varied players along the way, including Columbia Pictures, major Spanish producer Elias Querejeta and right wing radio and TV corporation Intereconomia.

 “We are happy to say that Fox has picked up Lope and will release it in Spanish cinemas on September 3,” said Edmon Roch at Ikiru Films. “We are currently doing the editing in Brazil, but hope to have the film finished by March, ahead of Cannes.”

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