STXFilms Lands Global Rights to Kevin Hart, Bryan Cranston Film 'The Upside' From Lantern Entertainment

STX Entertainment announced on Wednesday it is partnering with Lantern Entertainment to acquire worldwide distribution rights to The Weinstein Co. holdover film “The Upside.”

The film, starring Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston, and directed by Neil Burger, was one of the films acquired from TWC when Lantern Entertainment bought the studio out of bankruptcy back in May.

“The Upside,” a heartfelt comedy about a recently paroled ex-convict (Hart) who strikes up an unusual and unlikely friendship with a paralyzed billionaire (Cranston), was an indie darling when it premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. The conversation around it as been that of a potential awards contender, making this the second contender STX has gone after following last year’s “Molly’s Game.”

Also Read: Lantern Finally Owns The Weinstein Company's Remains - Now What?

The film is a sweet spot acquisition for STXfilms fitting the studio’s core model of programming titles with stars in their true signature roles. “The Upside” also stars Nicole Kidman, Julianna Margulies and Aja Naomi King. The announcement was made today by STXfilms Chairman Adam Fogelson, along with Andy Mitchell from Lantern Entertainment.

STX Films is a division of STX Entertainment.

“This is a hilariously funny and emotionally affecting film. It evokes elements of films like Trading Places and Scent of a Woman, while still being completely fresh with characters that are as memorable as they are hysterical,” said Fogelson in a statement. “Neil did an incredible job with this comedy and we can’t wait to work with Kevin Hart, Nicole Kidman and Bryan Cranston. We are thrilled to add The Upside to the STXfilms slate and we look forward to working with the team at Lantern Entertainment.”

Also Read: Weinstein Co $289 Million Sale to Lantern Closes

“The Upside” was written by Jon Hartmere. The original French-language version of The Intouchables grossed $416 million overseas. Inspired by a true-story, it chronicles an aristocrat (Francois Cluzet) who, after being injured, hires a young man (Omar Sy) from the wrong side of the tracks to be his caretaker.

Lantern’s Andy Mitchell commented, “STX is an ideal distribution partner for this heartwarming film that has universal appeal and features world-class performances. We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to fostering a productive relationship with the entire STX team.”

The Upside is an Escape Artists production. Producers are Jason Blumenthal, Todd Black and Steve Tisch.

11 Film and TV Projects Left in Limbo From Weinstein Company Bankruptcy (Photos)

The bankruptcy of The Weinstein Company leaves a number of interesting projects across film and TV in limbo, some awaiting release and others still in development. What will be their fate?
"The Current War"

After making its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon's Thomas Edison biopic starring Benedict Cumberbatch was originally scheduled for an awards-friendly December 2017 release before getting pushed.
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"The War With Grandpa"

Starring Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman and Oakes Fegley, The Weinstein Company unloaded the completed family film to its producers Marro Media Co. for $2.5 million.
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"The Six Billion Dollar Man"

Mark Wahlberg was set to star in a remake of the '70s TV series starring Lee Majors. The rights to the project directed by Damián Szifron was sold to Warner Bros. for $7.2 million.
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"Mary Magdalene"

This Biblical drama directed by "Lion's" Garth Brooks and starring Rooney Mara as Mary Magdalene and Joaquin Phoenix as Jesus Christ was just released on March 16 in the U.K. by Focus Features.
Focus Features
"The Upside"

"The Upside" is a remake of the French drama "The Intouchables" and stars Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart. It made its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and was originally scheduled to be released in March.
The Weinstein Company
Untitled David O. Russell Project

Amazon cut ties with The Weinstein Company back in October and canceled a planned series from David O. Russell that was set to star Robert De Niro and Julianne Moore.
"Polaroid"

“Polaroid,” a low-budget horror film from Bob Weinstein’s Dimension Films genre division, is listed in court filings among The Weinstein Company's assets, but it isn't listed as an “unreleased picture.”
Dimension Films
"Fahrenheit 11/9"

Michael Moore's follow up to "Fahrenheit 9/11" concerns the 2016 election of Donald Trump. TWC, which had previously distributed "Fahrenheit 9/11," acquired it in May. The project is still in production.
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"Hotel Mumbai"

"Hotel Mumbai" is a thriller starring Armie Hammer and Dev Patel based on a 2009 documentary, "Surviving Mumbai" about the deadly terror attack on the Indian city. The Weinstein Company acquired it in May of 2016.
The Weinstein Company
"Project Runway"

Lifetime sources tell TheWrap that shooting a new season of "Project Runway" is currently up in the air because of TWC's financial and PR problems. Further, Weinstein's estranged wife Georgina Chapman is a judge on a current and upcoming season of "Project Runway: All Stars," both of which were shot prior to the sexual assault allegations becoming public.

Lifetime
"Scream"

The Weinstein Company has a credit on the MTV adaptation of the horror franchise "Scream," with a third, unaired season already completed. It's been over a year since the show aired, and the new season does not have an air date.
MTV

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”The Current War,“ ”Hotel Mumbai“ and ”The Upside“ are among TWC’s unreleased work

The bankruptcy of The Weinstein Company leaves a number of interesting projects across film and TV in limbo, some awaiting release and others still in development. What will be their fate?

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11 Film and TV Projects Left in Limbo From Weinstein Company Bankruptcy (Photos)

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