Distribution round-up: Universal has said [10] it will release Angelina Jolie’s upcoming second feature as director, Unbroken, on Dec 25 2014. Separately, ARC Entertainment has acquired all North American rights to Standing Up, while Monterey Media has taken Approaching Midnight and Gravitas Ventures has picked up Ass Backwards.

The drama is based on Unbroken: A World War II Story Of Survival, Resilience, And Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand and is set to commence production in late September.

The story chronicles the survival at sea and subsequently in a Japanese POW camp of downed WWII airman Louis ‘Louie’ Zamperini.

Joel and Ethan Coen rewrote the screenplay from earlier drafts by William Nicholson and Richard LaGravenese.

Jolie produces alongside Matthew Baer and Erwin Stoff, while Mick Garris and David Crockett are on board as executive producers. Roger Deakins serves as cinematographer.

  • ARC Entertainment has acquired all North American rights to the family film Standing Up based on Brock Cole’s young adult novel The Goats. Chandler Canterbury, Annalise Basso and Val Kilmer star. ARC CEO Trevor Drinkwater brokered the deal with CAA and Jere Hausfater and Tim Swain of Aldamisa Entertainment.
  • Monterey Media has picked up all US and Canadian rights to Sam Logan Khaleghi’s crime drama Approaching Midnight. The film will launch theatrically in late August followed by digital and DVD rollout.
  • Gravitas Ventures has acquired Ass Backwards and will release on Sept 30 ahead of theatrical roll-out on Nov 8. Chris Nelson’s comedy premiered at Sundance. Vice-president of acquisitions and marketing Melanie Miller brokered the deal with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.