Right then. Now seems as good a time as ever to round up a few distribution deals that have been done.
First up is a biggie: “Robocop.” You may have read over the weekend that MGM had found their new Robocop for the remake of Paul Verhoeven‘s 1987 film, and it’s the Swedish star of “Snabba Cash” and “The Darkest Hour,” Joel Kinnaman. Since his casting, MGM have put the film on fast track, and it seems to have been enough to convince a distributor to come on board in the form of Sony Pictures, who had previously partnered with MGM for the likes of “21 Jump Street,” “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,” and “Skyfall.” Jose Padilha (“Elite Squad“) will direct the film, and we’ll likely now see it sooner rather than later.
Remember “Grabbers,” from back at Sundance? No? Well it looks like a “Shaun of the Dead” meets “Tremors” kind of film — a sci-fi/horror comedy set on the Irish coast. We think it sounds pretty fun and it has a decent British cast, including the much hyped Russell Tovey and Richard Coyle (the lead in the forthcoming “Pusher” remake), and IFC Midnight seem to agree as they’ve picked up the North and Latin American distribution rights to the film. Expect to see this in theaters later this year.
And finally, Cinedigm Entertainment Group and New Video have picked up the North American distribution rights to another Sundance film — “This Film Is Not Yet Rated“-director Kirby Dick‘s “The Invisible War.” It’s a fairly brutal documentary that examines rape in the U.S military and presents the disturbing statistic that female soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire. This is headed for a theatrical release this summer. [Deadline/Variety/The Wrap]