Magnolia Pictures’ genre label Magnet Releasing has acquired U.S. rights to Ben Wheatley’s “High-Rise,” which premiered to decidedly mixed reviews at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Tom Hiddleston stars alongside Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans and Elizabeth Moss.
Based on the 1975 novel by J.G. Ballard, “High-Rise” takes a darkly comic look at class warfare within a luxury apartment building.
“High Rise” was produced by Jeremy Thomas and written by Wheatley’s wife, Amy Jump. There were at least 30 walkouts during the film’s first screening in Toronto, which may explain why it took three months for producers to find a U.S. buyer.
Wheatley has history with Magnet Releasing, which distributed his first film, “Down Terrace.” The director has developed a cult following thanks to his films “Kill List,” “Sightseers” and “A Field in England.”
The deal was negotiated by Magnolia’s Dori Begley and John Von Thaden, while HanWay Films negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers.