Lionsgate is in the final stages to acquire U.S. distribution rights to the Benedict Cumberbatch thriller “Ironbark,” an individual with knowledge of the deal said. Roadside Attractions will handle theatrical distribution as part of the deal following the film’s Friday night premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Director Dominick Cooke’s film, which also stars Merab Ninidze, Rachel Brosnahan and Jessie Buckley, is based on the true story of a British businessman who is unwittingly recruited into an international effort to end the Cuban Missile Crisis of the 1960s.
Tom O’Connor wrote the script, which follows Cumberbatch as Greville Wynne, who leads a quiet life with his wife Sheila (Jessie Buckley) until he’s recruited because of his ordinariness to serve his country when rumblings of a mole in the Soviet Union government reach British intelligence agent Dickie Franks (Angus Wright) and CIA official Emily Donovan (Rachel Brosnahan).
Reps for Lionsgate had no comment.
The film was produced by Adam Ackland, Ben Browning, Ben Pugh and Rory Aitken. UTA independent represented the filmmakers.