Lions Gate Picks Up Hard Candy

Distributor Lions Gate Films purchased North American and worldwide rights, with the exception of the United Kingdom, Australia and Spain, for $2.25 million against 20% of the gross. The other three territories are being negotiated separately, with the United Kingdom likely to go to Red Bus, Aurum Films buying Spain and Mel Gibson's Icon Prods. purchasing Australian rights.

Lions Gate won the bidding war against New Line Cinema. Focus Features dropped out of the deal before bidding got too hot. "What differentiates Lions Gate's offer is the gross corridor," said Rena Ronson, an agent with William Morris Independents who negotiated the deal along with her partner Cassian Elwes, Doug Stone and Rosanne Korenberg of Traction Media. "This is a very attractive deal for the filmmakers and the financiers."

The film is a risky game of cat and mouse between a teenage girl and an older man, where the tables are turned with shocking results Hard Candy stars Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page. It is directed by David Slade and written by Brian Nelson. The film is produced by David Higgins, Richard Hutton and Michael Caldwell and executive produced by Jody Patton and Rosanne Korenberg. It is the latest film produced by Vulcan Productions (Far From Heaven, Titus) in association with Launchpad Productions.

Source: Hollywood Reporter