Amazon has closed a $10 million deal for domestic rights to Kenneth Lonergan’s family drama “Manchester by the Sea,” which garnered rave reviews following its world premiere at the Eccles on Saturday, an individual familiar with the deal told TheWrap.
The deal, said to be in the vicinity of $10 million, calls for a traditional theatrical release and an awards campaign. Amazon will now look for a theatrical partner, and there will be no shortage of interest, as the other studios involved in the bidding included Sony Pictures Classics, Fox Searchlight, Universal and Lionsgate. WME Global negotiated the deal.
Set in the blue-collar Massachusetts coastal city of Manchester-by-the-Sea, the film stars Casey Affleck as Lee Chandler, a broken man who is drafted to be his nephew Patrick’s legal guardian when his brother Joe (Kyle Chandler) dies with his affairs in order.
“Manchester” could prove to be an awards contender, as Affleck and co-stars Lucas Hedges and Michelle Williams give wonderful performances.
Matt Damon was originally supposed to star in the film, but he wound up simply producing alongside Chris Moore, Kevin Walsh and Kimberly Steward.
Dealmaking has been as chilly as the Park City streets so far, but the “Manchester” deal injects some much needed heat into the marketplace.