Paramount is expected to close the biggest acquisition of Toronto. The studio is in talks to buy the Chris Rock comedy “Top Five” for $12.5 million, an individual with knowledge of the negotiations told TheWrap.
The film premiered in Toronto on Saturday night and has been the subject of an epic bidding war among studios, including CBS Films, Sony, Open Road and Relativity. The film was budgeted slightly above $10 million. In addition to the sale, the studio has made a commitment of $20 million in P&A spending.
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The film follows a comedian (Rock) as he tries to make it as a serious actor when his reality TV star fiancé convinces him to broadcast their wedding on her TV show.
Rock scored on the festival circuit back in 2009 when he co-produced, co-wrote, narrated and appeared in “Good Hair,” which featured celebrities talking about African-American hair issues and hairstyles.