Focus Nabs Rights to "Hamlet 2"
January 23, 2008 by Jane Boursaw
Focus Features scored a major coup when they sealed one of the biggest deals in Sundance history this morning at 8 a.m.
After an intense night of negotiating, Focus reportedly nabbed world rights to the high-school satire “Hamlet 2″ for an estimated $10 million. It marks the biggest bidding war of the festival to date and one of the biggest in Sundance history, rivaling “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Hustle and Flow,” and “Happy, Texas.”
“Hamlet 2″ stars Steve Coogan (“Hot Fuzz,” “Night at the Museum”) as a drama teacher who attempts to save his high school theater department by staging a controversial sequel to Shakespeare’s play.
Directed and written by Andrew Fleming — who also directed “Nancy Drew” and “The In-Laws” — the film is a late addition to Sundance, but sparked the interest of execs from the Weinstein Company, Lionsgate, Fox Searchlight, and Paramount Vantage.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a post-screening dinner at Main Street eatery Jean Louis saw a number of top film folks huddling with the sales agent and the producers, which include L&E’s Eric Eisner as well as “Little Miss Sunshine” producers Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa.
WireImage Photo: Steve Coogan
