Lionsgate has paid $7 million for the U.S. distribution rights to “American Ultra,” a comedy starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart that will enter production in April, according to two individuals with knowledge of the deal. Lionsgate bought the rights on the strength of the script, written by Max Landis, and CAA’s overall package, which includes the two stars, “Project X” director Nima Nourizadeh and a handful of producers.
Eisenberg will play an unwitting stoner who becomes the subject of a government operation while Stewart will play his girlfriend. Stewart has been very busy in the independent space since she concluded the “Twilight” saga, starring in Guantanamo Bay drama “Camp X-Ray,” which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.