Open Road Films Acquires Thorne’s Romantic Drama “Midnight Sun”

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Bella Thorne is hitting the Open Road with her new film next July…

Open Road Films has acquired the U.S. rights to Midnight Sun, the Scott Speer-directed romantic drama starring the 19-year-old half-Cuban American actress, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Rob Riggle and Quinn Shepard.

Open Road committed a seven-figure minimum guarantee and a P&A commitment for a wide release. The distributor has set a wide release for July 14, 2017.

The romantic drama follows 17-year-old Katie Price (Thorne), sheltered since childhood with a life-threatening sensitivity to sunlight. Katie’s world opens up after dark when she ventures out to play her guitar for travelers. One night, she meets Charlie (Schwarzenegger), whom she has secretly admired for years. She hides her condition from him, and the two embark on a uniquely powerful romance that takes place over the summer.

The picture is based on the Japanese film Taiyo No Uta, and Eric Kirsten wrote the script.

Open Road confirmed the deal. “We were swept off our feet by this romantic film,” Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg said. “The movie had men and women – young and old – in tears, and we could tell immediately how strongly this story, and the fantastic performances by leads Bella and Patrick, would resonate with audiences of all ages.”

Open Road Films to Release Iglesias’ “The Nut Job 2” in May 2017

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more nuttiness in store for Gabriel Iglesias next summer…

Open Road Films has set a May 19, 2017 U.S. release date for The Nut Job 2, featuring the 39-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor as part of the voice cast.

It’s a sequel to the 2014 sneaky animated hit that grossed $120.9M worldwide, which had the biggest box office opening ever for an independent animated film.

Will Arnett, Katherine Heigl, Maya Rudolph, Iglesias as the voice of Jimmy, and Jeff Dunham are reprising their voice roles for the follow-up, with more cast coming soon. The family film was originally eyed as a January 15, 2016 title.

The sequel returns to Oakton, where the evil mayor decides to bulldoze Liberty Park and build a dangerous amusement park in its place. Surly Squirrel (Arnett) and his ragtag group of animal friends band together to save their home, defeat the mayor, and take back the park.

Cal Brunker is directing a script he co-wrote with Scott Bindley and Bob Barlen.

First Trailer Released for Bardem & Sean Penn’s Action Thriller “The Gunman”

Posted on December 13, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Javier Bardem is back to his baddie ways…

The 45-year-old Spanish actor and Oscar winner goes head to head against Sean Penn in The Gunman, as witnessed in the film’s first official trailer.

In the film helmed by Taken director Pierre Morel, Penn stars as a former Special Forces soldier and military contractor suffering from PTSD. He tries to reconnect with his longtime love, but first must go on the run from London to Barcelona and across Europe in order to clear his name.

Bardem, who won an Academy Award for portraying a psychopathic assassin in No Country for Old Men, stars as Penn’s old associate, who isn’t about to let him walk serenely off into the sunset.

The action thriller is based on the Jean-Patrick Manchette novel The Prone Gunman.

In addition to Penn and Bardem, the film also stars Idris Elba, Ray Winstone and Mark Rylance.

Open Road Films will release The Gunman in theaters on March 20, 2015.

Trailer Released for Jon Stewart’s Directorial Debut “Rosewater,” Starring Garcia Bernal

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Gael Garcia Bernal is earning rave reviews for his latest project… And, now you can see his work for yourself.

Open Road Films has released the official trailer for Jon Stewart’s directorial debut Rosewater, starring the 35-year-old Mexican actor.

The film, an adaptation of Maziar Bahari’s book Then They Came For Me: A Family’s Story Of Love, Captivity And Survival,stars Garcia Bernal as Bahari, the BBC journalist who left London in June 2009 to cover Iran’s presidential elections.

He was kidnapped, spending the next 118 days in Iran’s most notorious prison being brutally interrogated by a man he knew only by one thing: he smelled of rosewater.

Stewart took a summer hiatus from his Comedy Central show to direct his own script.

Rosewater will open in U.S. theaters on November 7.

Open Road Films to Release Garcia Bernal’s “Rosewater” in November

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Gael Garcia Bernal’s latest film will hit U.S. theaters in November.

Open Road Films has announced plans to release Rosewater, starring the 35-year-old Mexican actor, on November 7.

The directorial debut from The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart, the film is an adaptation of BBC journalist Maziar Bahari’s book Then They Came For Me: A Family’s Story Of Love, Captivity And Survival.

The true story follows the Tehran-born journalist, a Canadian citizen living in London. In June 2009, he returned to Iran to interview Mir-Hossein Moussavi, who was the prime challenger to controversial incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. As Moussavi’s supporters rose up to protest Ahmadinejad’s victory declaration hours before the polls closed on election day, Bahari endured great personal risk by submitting camera footage of the unfolding street riots to the BBC. Bahari was soon arrested by Revolutionary Guard police, led by a man identifying himself only as “Rosewater,” who proceeded to torture and interrogate the journalist over the next 118 days. Iranian authorities released Bahari on $300,000 bail and the promise he would act as a spy for the government.

Garcia Bernal stars as Bahari in the film.

Stewart penned the script and took a summer break from his popular Comedy Central show to direct it.

Open Road acquired the U.S. distribution rights in May to Rosewaterafter a private showing to select buyers at the Cannes Film Festival.

Open Road Films to Release Verastegui’s “Little Boy” Next February

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Eduardo Verastegui will be performing the duties of a man of the cloth early next year.

Open Road Films has set a February 27, 2015 release date for Little Boy, the inspirational family film starring the 40-year-old Mexican actor-model-singer as Fr. Crispin.

Directed by Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde and executive produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, the film centers on a 7-year-old boy willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II so he can bring his father home.

In addition to Versategui, the film also stars Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson, Kevin James, Ben Chaplin, Michael Rapaport, Cary Tagawa, Ted Levine, David Henrie and Jakob Salvati.

Pepe Portillo and Monteverde wrote the script.

Open Road Films acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the film last month.

Open Road Films to Distribute “Little Boy,” Starring Verastegui,” in the U.S.

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Eduardo Verástegui‘s latest little project will be heading to American theaters…

Open Road Films has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Little Boy, a new family film featuring the 40-year-old Mexican actor-model-singer as Fr. Crispin.

Executive produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, the film stars Emily Watson and Tom Wilkinson and centers on a 7-year-old boy who is willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II and bring his father home.

In addition to Verástegui, Watson and Wilkinson, the cast also includes David Henrie, Kevin James, Ben Chaplin, Michael Rapaport, Cary Tagawa, Ted Levine and 7-year-old newcomer Jakob Salvati.

It was directed by Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde and written by Pepe Portillo and Monteverde.

“Little Boy is a truly uplifting movie that resonates with family audiences, and we are thrilled to add it to our slate,” Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg said as he made the announcement with Burnett.

Verastegui, who will soon appear in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, earned a Grace Award in 2008 for Most Inspirational Movie Acting for his role in the critically acclaimed film Bella.

Open Road Films to Release Bardem’s “The Gunman” in February

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Javier Bardem’s latest feature film is heading to theaters in early 2015…

Open Road Films has scheduled The Gunman, starring the 45-year-old Spanish actor and Sean Penn, to open in theaters in the Unted States on February 20, 2015.

Directed by Pierre Morel, the action thriller stars Penn as a former Special Forces soldier and military contractor suffering from PTSD. He tries to reconnect with his long-time love, but first must go on the run from London to Barcelona and acrossEurope in order to clear his name.

The Gunman was acquired by Open Road earlier this month.

In addition to Penn and Bardem,the film also Idris Elba, Ray Winstone, Mark Rylance and Jasmine Trinca.

Studiocanal, which has the rights to distribute the film in its home territories, will first release The Gunman on February 18 in France, followed by Australia and New Zealand on February 19.

It will time the United Kingdom release to the U.S. on February 20 and open in Germany a week later on February 26.

The Gunman had originally been slated for a December 2014 release in France, but a switch was reportedly made to accommodate a closer day-and-date with the U.S.

Open Road to Release Garcia Bernal’s “Rosewater,” Directed by Jon Stewart, in the U.S.

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Gael Garcia Bernal’s latest project is headed to the U.S. theaters.

Open Road Films has picked up the U.S. distribution rights to Rosewater, the political drama starring the 35-year-old Mexican actor.

The film marks The Daily Show host Jon Stewart’s directorial debut. It’s an adaptation of the New York Timesbest-selling memoir Then They Came for Me: A Family’s Story of Love, Captivity and Survival, written by BBC journalist Maziar Bahari.

The story centers on the Tehran-born Canadian broadcast journalist (portrayed by Bernal) who was covering the Iranian elections in 2009. After submitting footage of street riots, Bahari was arrested by Revolutionary Guard police, and for the next 118 days was interrogated and tortured by man he called Rosewater, due to the man’s scent.

Stewart was one of those who followed the story.

A fall release is being planned.

Open Road Acquires the U.S. Rights to Bardem’s Action-Thriller “The Gunman”

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

There’s nothing but open road ahead for Javier Bardem’s latest project.

Open Road Films has closed a deal to acquire the U.S. rights to The Gunman, the action thriller starring the 45-year-old Spanish actor, Sean Penn, Idris Elba, Ray Winstone, Mark Rylance and Jasmine Trinca.

Directed by Taken helmer Pierre Morel, the film is based on Jean-Patrick Manchette’s novel The Prone Gunman.

It stars Penn as a former Special Forces soldier and military contractor suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He tries to reconnect with his longtime love, but first must go on the run from London to Barcelona and across Europe in order to clear his name.

No word yet on an expected release date.

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