Vertical Entertainment has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “Burn Your Maps,” an adventure drama starring Jacob Tremblay, Vera Farmiga and Virginia Madsen, the company announced Wednesday.
Vertical Entertainment is planning a Q2 theatrical release for the film, and Warner Bros. Pictures will handle international distribution.
Jordan Roberts, who wrote the screenplay for Disney’s “Big Hero 6,” wrote and directed “Burn Your Maps,” which made its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2016.
The story involves a family in emotional turmoil who is taken by surprise when an eccentric eight-year-old boy, Wes, (Tremblay) has an existential epiphany: he believes that he is in fact a Mongolian goat herder.
“‘Burn Your Maps’ is a funny, heartwarming, and deeply human portrait of a family navigating hardship,” Rich Goldberg, co-President of Vertical Entertainment said in a statement. “Anchored by touching performances from Jacob Tremblay and Vera Farmiga, we can’t wait for audiences to journey alongside them as they find meaning, purpose and happiness in the extraordinary setting of Mongolia.”
“Burn Your Maps” is based on a short story by Robyn Joy Leff. The film was produced by Cinelou Films, Big Wheel Entertainment and Defender Films in association with the Fyzz Facility Limited and Mad Riot Entertainment.
Courtney Solomon, Mark Canton, Patrick Aiello and Julie Kirkham produced the film, with Stephanie Caleb, Pavlina Hatoupis, David Hopwood, and Tracey Landon serving as co-producers. Wayne Marc Godfrey, Robert Jones, Scott Karol, Arnaud Lannic, Mark Axelowitz, Babak Eftekhari and Lawrence Smith executive produced.
The deal was negotiated by Peter Jarowey and Josh Spector for Vertical and Ian Brereton on behalf of Cinelou Films.
Tremblay is represented by UTA, Play Management, and Shelter PR. Farmiga is represented by CAA, Authentic Talent and Literary Management and, ID Public Relations. Madsen is represented by Untitled Entertainment.