Paramount Pictures will distribute Toa Fraser's Dean Spanley in Australia and New Zealand.

As previously reported, Toa Fraser will direct the whimsical father and son tale to star Peter O'Toole and Jeremy Northam.

The film will start shooting Nov 12 on location in the east of England. Delivery is set for mid-2008.

The New Zealand-UK co-production is backed by Aramid, The NZ Film Production Fund, the NZ Film Commission, Lipsync and Screen East. NZ Film is handling international sales.

'We are delighted to be working with the NZFC on such an interesting story and with such a talented director and cast from New Zealand, Australia and overseas. We look forward to similar collaborations in the future' said Mike Selwyn, Managing Director, Australia, Paramount Pictures Australia, Regional Supervisor, Australasia.