hollywoodnews.com: The Weinstein Company (TWC) announced today that it has acquired domestic rights to Jesse Peretz’s new film MY IDIOT BROTHER, which had its world premiere Saturday night at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. The company also acquired distribution rights for the U.K., Germany, France and Japan. TWC will partner on the acquisition with Ron Burkle, who previously backed TWC founders Harvey and Bob Weinsteins’ bid to acquire Miramax Films and its library. Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, Steve Coogan, Hugh Dancy, Rashida Jones, Kathryn Hahn, Shirley Knight, TJ Miller, Janet Montgomery and Adam Scott star in the film, a comedy about family and the sacrifices it takes to deal with them. Written by Evgenia Peretz and David Schisgall and based on a story by Evgenia Peretz and Jesse Peretz, MY IDIOT BROTHER is directed by Jesse Peretz, and produced by Anthony Bregman for Likely Story and Peter Saraf and Marc Turtletaub for Big Beach. Big Beach financed the production. Jesse Peretz, Caroline Jaczko, Stefanie Azpiazu, John Hodges and Aleen Keshishian are Executive Producers. Commented TWC co-founder Harvey Weinstein, “MY IDIOT BROTHER” knocked me out. It’s fresh, funny and true, with sharp direction, terrific writing and a dream of an ensemble cast, led by one of the best actors I’ve ever worked with, Paul Rudd. Bringing this film home to The Weinstein Company is a great way to start the New Year.” Added TWC COO David Glasser, “We’re thrilled to have acquired MY IDIOT BROTHER. Not only is it a very clever comedy, it tells a story about the one subject that everyone, everywhere, can relate to: family. Our friend Ron Burkle was just as dazzled by the movie as we were, and partnering on this acquisition was an ideal opportunity to continue our business relationship.” Producers Turtletaub, Saraf and Bregman said, “Making this film has been a truly family effort. Jesse dreamt it up with his sister, Evgenia, and brother-in-law, David, and we’re thrilled to have the Weinstein brothers as partners on the release.” The deal was negotiated for TWC by Glasser, Peter Lawson, TWC Head of Acquisitions, and Laine Kline, TWC Executive Vice President Legal Affairs; with Rena Ronson and Jim Meenaghan, head of film business affairs, from UTA and Jackie Eckhouse of Sloss Eckhouse Lawco representing Big Beach. Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park International [...]
