Washington [US]February 11 (ANI): Hollywood star Tom Hanks’ comedy “A Man Called Otto” has landed on Sony Pictures after a bidding war on the Berlin Film Festival’s virtual European film market.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, ‘A Man Called Otto’, which is set for a cinema premiere, will be written by the two-time Oscar nominee David Magee and directed by Marc Forster.
It is based on the Swedish novelist Fredrik Backman’s best-selling A Man Named Ove, and the 2015 Swedish film adaptation of the novel was nominated for two Oscars, including Best Foreign Language Film.
The main filming begins later this month in Pittsburgh, with Mariana Trevino, Rachel Keller and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo rounding out the cast. Fredrik Wikstrรถm Nicastro from SF Studios produces together with Rita Wilson and Playtones Hanks and Gary Goetzman.
Marc Forster and Renee Wolfe from the production company 2DUX2 are executive producers, as are Magee. SF Studios, which was behind director Hannes Holm’s film version in 2015, is responsible for the financing.
“What a fantastic all-star constellation of talent: Tom Hanks in an iconic role and an exceptional director in Mark Forster; outstanding producers in Rita Wilson, Gary Goetzman and Fredrik Wikstrรถm Nicastro; exquisite screenplay by David Magee; a worldwide best-selling book; and our longtime partner, SF Studios, says Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group Chairman and CEO Tom Rothman in a statement.
He continued, “Elizabeth Gabler, myself and Sony have had the privilege of working with all these giants before, but this time it feels like we won the lottery.” Wikstrom Nicastro said: “Tom and Elizabeth’s passion for the material and the vision for creating a worldwide theater event blew us all away. We could not be happier that Otto would find a home with our friends at Sony.” Wilson added: “We are pleased to partner with Sony, which has consistently demonstrated its commitment to film and filmmaking. In this era, which offers so many ways to entertain, we applaud Sony’s commitment to theatrical performances.” “A Man Called Otto” revolves around Otto (Hanks), a temperamental widower who slowly finds value in developing friendships with his neighbors when he keeps a close eye on society.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the deal was negotiated by Jon Freedberg, Sony Pictures ‘executive VP, content strategy and business development, and Joe Matukewicz, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions’ director of Stage 6 Films.
CAA Media Finance, Lichter Grossman Nichols Adler Feldman and Clark and Craig Emanuel from Paul Hastings negotiated for the filmmakers. (ANI)
Source: sn.dk