UPI acquires major territories from Relativity to 3D epic Immortals

UPI has acquired rights for the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Spain, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan for the film, which Tarsem Singh is currently directing in Montreal and the film is set to open in the US on November 11 2011 through Relativity’s Rogue label.

Immortals follows the mythological tale of the young warrior Theseus, who leads his men into battle with the Greek gods to defeat evil and the powerful elder gods of the Titans in order to save mankind.

Henry Cavill, Stephen Dorff, Luke Evans, Isabel Lucas, Kellan Lutz, Joseph Morgan, Freida Pinto (pictured), John Hurt and Mickey Rourke star.

Jason Keller wrote the most recent draft of the script. An earlier version was written by Christian Gudegast, based on an original screenplay by Charley and Vlas Parlapanides.

Kavanaugh is producing alongside Gianni Nunnari of Hollywood Gang Productions and Mark Canton of Atmosphere Entertainment.

“We’re delighted to come onboard Immortals and become the international distribution partner in select territories,” David Kosse, president of international for Universal, said. “This epic 3-D adventure further enhances our 2011 slate and is just the kind of exciting event movie that we believe can appeal to audiences around the world.”

“Tarsem Singh is a visionary film-maker and Immortals is a really innovative project, which is a great strategic fit for UPI,” UPI president of international production and acquisitions Christian Grass added. “We look forward to working with Relativity on this exciting epic 3-D adventure as we launch it to global audiences in 2011.”

“We’re very proud of Tarsem Singh’s breathtaking, action-packed film, Immortals and believe it will resonate well with international audiences,” Kavanaugh said. “We’re thrilled to have our international distribution in such great hands with our friends at UPI.”

UPI’s head of legal and business affairs Alexander Jooss brokered the deal with Relativity COO Andrew Marcus. Relativity Media has a deal with Universal Pictures to co-finance between ten and 15 films per year through 2014.

This is the latest significant international rights play by a US studio following deals earlier in the market involving Warner Bros International Film Acquisitions and Morgan Creek’s Jim Sherdian thriller Dream House, and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Groups’ deal with Focus Features International for the Joe Wright thriller Hanna.