Denmark's Zentropa is sealing its reputation for handling controversial fare by acquiring world rights, excluding North America, to Don's Plum, a four-year-old film that has never been released due to a legal battle between one of it stars Leonardo DiCaprio and independent producer David Stutman.

DiCaprio's agent attempted to block release of the low-budget film claiming that his client had never agreed to make a full-length feature and demanding DiCaprio's pre-Titantic $3m fee. Stutman filed a suit at the LA Superior Court that was settled last year when the court decided the film could be distributed outside North America.

Zentropa plans to complete post-production on the film at its facilities in Copenhagen starting next week. The company's international sales arm, Trust Film Sales, will then present the completed title at Cannes.

Don's Plum is directed by first-time director RD Robb and produced by Polo Pictures Entertainment. The film's cast also includes Tobey Maguire, Amber Benson, Scott Bloom, Kevin Connolly, Jenny Lewis, Heather McComb and Neadow Sisto. Robb is believed to have tried to sell the film to Miramax, but was stopped by DiCaprio and co-star Maguire.

The project is well-suited to Zentropa which has built a reputation for its progressive production policy. The film was shot for $100,00 over six days in 1995 and 1996 and revolves around a group of friends who meet at a diner late at night and discuss how to lure girls into having sex with them.

Trust's head of sales Thomas Mai was offered the project after contacting Robb to direct a Zentropa film, Loose Change, which is set to start shooting this summer. Trust's Cannes slate also includes Lars von Trier's early-awaited musical Dancer In The Dark.