Logan Lerman’s mystery “Sidney Hall” has sold distribution rights to reigning Best Picture-winner A24 and DirecTV, TheWrap has learned.
The 2017 Sundance Film Festival selection will have a 30-day exclusive prerelease on DirecTV before A24 rolls it out in theaters.
“Sidney” stars Lerman as a literary prodigy whose insights into his suburban town have serious consequences — bringing shame and forcing the young author into hiding. It costars Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Nathan Lane, Blake Jenner, Margaret Qualley and Tim Blake Nelson.
Shawn Christensen, who helmed the Oscar-winning short “Curfew” and the feature “Before I Disappear,” directed from a script he cowrote with Jason Dolan.
Jonathan Schwartz, who produced the Anton Yelchin-Felicity Jones breakout “Like Crazy,” serves as producer through his Super Crispy Entertainment banner. Release timing is currently unknown.
A24 has formally arrived as an indie powerhouse, taking the top prize at this year’s Academy Awards for the Barry Jenkins drama “Moonlight.” Upcoming releases include Brie Larson and Armie Hammer’s “Free Fire,” Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara’s “A Ghost Story” and John Cameron Mitchell’s sci-fi romantic comedy “How to Talk to Girls at Parties” starring Nicole Kidman.
DirecTV has also grown as a festival buyer over the past few years, and many industry watchers anticipate the service will play an increasingly important role in day-and-date once its owner AT&T closes a merger with Time Warner — making Warner Bros. Pictures a sister to DirecTV.
Most recently, the service acquired Eshom and Ian Nelms’ “Small Town Crime,” which stars Octavia Spencer and John Hawkes. Saban Films will handle the theatrical release.