Sony Pictures Classics has acquired US rights from Wild Bunch to Woody Allen's Whatever Works, the director's first feature shot in New York since 2004's Melinda And Melinda.

Ed Begley Jr stars in the romantic comedy alongside Patricia Clarkson, Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood.

Sony Pictures Classics, which previously collaborated with Allen on 1999's Sweet And Lowdown, plans a summer release on the film. Maple Pictures has rights in Canada. Although it will be ready in time for Cannes, Wild Bunch says it is not necessarily interested in a Cannes premiere. Mars had French distribution rights.

Three US distributors made offers on the film after seeing a work-in-progress screening after AFM.

'It was great to be back in Manhattan shooting a comedy and especially with such a gifted cast,' Allen said. 'I'm very lucky.'

Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum produced.

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