Julia Roberts

Source: Wikipedia

Julia Roberts

LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions will partner on US distribution of the Julia Roberts drama Ben Is Back and have set a December 7 release.

Peter Hedges wrote and directed the drama, which also stars Lucas Hedges of Manchester By The Sea.

Hedges plays 19 year-old Ben Burns, who ruffles feathers when he returns home unexpectedly on the morning of Christmas Eve. Roberts plays the mother, whose love for her son is tested over a turbulent 24 hours. The cast includes Courtney B. Vance and Kathryn Newton.

Black Bear Pictures and Color Force produced the film, with 30WEST and Black Bear fully financing the project. Producers are Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Teddy Schwarzman and Hedges. Executive Producers are Daniel Steinman, Micah Green, Dan Friedkin, Ben Stillman, Michael Heimler, Jane Evans, Mickey Liddell, and Pete Shilaimon.

Mickey Liddell of LD Entertainment, Lionsgate president of acquisitions and co-productions Jason Constantine, and Roadside Attractions co-founders Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff announced the deal. CAA handled US sales for Ben Is Back and Sierra/Affinity represents international rights.

Ben Is Back marks the ninth collaboration between LD and Roadside and the roster includes I Can Only Imagine, Albert Nobbs and Biutiful. They recently acquired US rights to the Judy Garland biopic Judy starring Renee Zellweger.

30WEST and Roadside Attractions recently partnered on Beast.

Liddell represented LD Entertainment and Cohen represented Roadside Attractions in the negotiation with Black Bear and 30WEST.