FilmNation picks up Julianne Moore starrer “Wonderstruck”

PanARMENIAN.Net - Glen Basner’s FilmNation Entertainment has acquired international sales rights to “Wonderstruck”, starring Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams (“Manchester By the Sea”) and child star Oaks Fegley (“Pete’s Dragon”) and reteaming “Carol” director Todd Haynes and producer Christine Vachon at Killer Films, Variety reports.

Adding to Cannes’ market mix a high-profile higher-budget family adventure film with large above-the-line and production pedigree, FilmNation will talk up the title to buyers on the Croisette next week.

Amazon Studios will release “Wonderstruck” theatrically in the U.S. in 2017.

Based on a children’s book by Brian Selznick, whose “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” inspired Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo,” “Wonderstruck” traces the gradually weaving stories, though set 50 years apart, of two deaf children who both wish their lives had been different: Rose dreams of a mysterious actress, Ben of the father he has never known. Their stories will finally intertwine as both children set out on quests to find what they are missing: A family.

Announced to buyers, though FilmNation declined to comment to Variety on the acquisition, “Wonderstruck” also reteams Moore and Haynes, who directed the actress in “Far From Heaven,” for which she garnered one of her five Academy Award nominations. Moore won a best actress Academy Award for “Still Alice,” which Killer Films produced.

As the pieces finally begin to fall into place for this year’s Cannes market, “Wonderstruck” joins two other FilmNation 2016 Cannes titles: “Show Dogs,” a family adventure title co-financed and co-produced by Open Road and Riverstone and sold by FilmNation Ent. through its agreement with Open Road Intl.; and Oliver Daly’s Miles.”

Produced by David S. Goyer’s Phantom Four Films, and released in the U.S. by Open Road Films, “Miles” will be channeled to output partners – such as Sony for Latin America and Spain, eOne for the U.K. and Benelux – through Open Road Intl.’s deal with FilmNation. On “Miles,” Lakeshore Intl. will sell outside these output partner territories.