‘Big Bang Theory’ Star Simon Helberg’s Directorial Debut Acquired by Orion

“We’ll Never Have Paris” co-stars Melanie Lynskey, Zachary Quinto, Jason Ritter, Maggie Grace and Alfred Molina

Orion Releasing has acquired North American rights to “We’ll Never Have Paris,” the directorial debut of “The Big Bang Theory” star Simon Helberg, who also wrote, produced and stars in the film, it was announced Tuesday.

Helberg co-directed the romantic comedy with his wife Jocelyn Towne, and he stars alongside Melanie Lynskey (“Happy Christmas”), Zachary Quinto (“Star Trek”), Alfred Molina (“Spiderman 2”), Jason Ritter (“Parenthood”) and Maggie Grace (“Taken”).

The film was produced by Robert Ogden Barnum (“All Is Lost”), Katie Mustard (“The Greatest”), Helberg and Towne, and executive produced by Marc Platt, Cassian Elwes and Judd Rubin.

It will be released theatrically in select markets on Jan. 22, 2015 in advance of a VOD release.

Based on Helberg and Towne’s real-life romantic history, “We’ll Never Have Paris” follows a neurotic mess of a man (Helberg) in the midst a quarter-life crisis that explodes when an attractive coworker (Grace) confesses her love for him mere moments before he is about to propose to his longtime girlfriend (Lynskey). When he up and leaves his true love he regrets his decision almost instantly — only to discover she has fled to Paris and he must now dash across the Atlantic to win her back.

“This is a deeply personal film for us that looks closely at the pain and suffering leading up to our catastrophic proposal. And we’re thrilled that Orion finds it as hilarious as we do,” Towne and Helberg said in a joint statement.

“We’ll Never Have Paris” had its world premiere at the 2014 South by Southwest Film Festival and went on to enjoy a successful journey on the festival circuit, playing the Newport Beach International Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award, the Nantucket Film Festival and the Edinburgh International Film Festival, where it was the closing night film.

In addition to his award-winning role on “The Big Bang Theory,” Helberg has appeared in the Coen brothers’ “A Serious Man” and Towne’s indie feature “I Am I,” which he also executive produced.

Helberg and Towne are represented by UTA and the “We’ll Never Have Paris” deal was negotiated by UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers. K5 International will be handling foreign sales for the film.

Orion Releasing is focused on multi-platform releases via specialized theatrical runs and premium VOD services.

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