Magnolia Pictures has acquired US rights to The Magic of Belle Isle, a drama directed by Rob Reiner and starring Morgan Freeman

The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnolia Pictures has acquired US rights to The Magic of Belle Isle, a drama directed by Rob Reiner and starring Morgan Freeman, Virginia Madsen, Madeline Carroll, Kenan Thompson and Fred Willard.

Magnolia plans a theatrical and VOD release in its Ultra VOD programme in the summer.

Reuniting with his director from The Bucket List , Freeman plays a famous novelist whose struggle with alcoholism has sapped his passion for writing. He takes a lakeside cabin for the summer and befriends an attractive single mother (Madsen) who helps him find inspiration again.

The film was written by Guy Thomas and produced by Alan Greisman, Lori McCreary, Salli Newman and David Valdes.

“We’re thrilled to get the chance to work with Rob Reiner on The Magic of Belle Isle,” said Magnolia president Eamonn Bowles. “It’s a real pleasure to watch this stellar cast at the top of their game.”

The deal was negotiated for Magnolia by SVP of acquisitions Dori Begley and head of business affairs Chris Matson, for Cinetic Media by John Sloss and Dana O’Keefe and for Castle Rock by Martin Shafer.