RLJE Films has paid low to mid-seven figures for all US rights to Sundance U.S. Dramatic Competition film Dual as the industry waits for deal flow on festival selections to pick up.
The acquisition was announced on Tuesday (25) as deals remained thin on the ground after weekend buys on Fire Of Love and The Territory by National Geographic Documentary Films.
At time of writing Searchlight Pictures was said to be at the head of the pack chasing Good Luck To You, Leo Grande and a deal was understood to be imminent on Living as buyers continued to circle the likes of Cha Cha Real Smooth, Watcher, Nothing Compares and Mija, among others.
Industry sources have told Screen that films will sell although as of Tuesday the rate appeared be more relaxed than in previous years. However recent history of the festival has shown that deal flow can ignite quickly from a trickle to a torrent at any time.
‘Dual’: Sundance Review
RLJE Films has scheduled a theatrical release later this year for Dual after it brokered the deal with XYZ Films, CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group on Monday night (24) in what the parties said was a competitive bidding situation. XYZ Films handles worldwide rights outside the US.
Riley Stearns directed the sci-fi starring Karen Gillan, Aaron Paul and Beulah Koale about a woman who, upon receiving a terminal diagnosis, opts for a cloning procedure to ease the loss on her friends and family. When she makes a sudden and miraculous recovery, her attempts to have her clone decommissioned fail and lead to a court-mandated duel to the death.
Stearns produced alongside XYZ Films and Resolute Films and Entertainment – who recently announced a first-look deal – with Film Service Finland providing production services. It was the first Hollywood production to shoot entirely in Finland.
XYZ financed Dual through its fund backed by Helsinki-based IPR.VC in collaboration with Bondit Media Capital and Head Gear Films. The film also received support from Business Finland and Film Tampere in Finland.
RLJE Films targeted the film, which appeared on Screen’s buzz list, ahead of the festival and has collaborated with XYZ Films on the theatrical release of Sundance 2018 selection Mandy starring Nicolas Cage.
XYZ Films’s Sundance 2022 slate includes Piggy, based on the Goya-winning short from management client Carlota Pereda, and Something In The Dirt from management clients Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead.
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