[Update: 1/24 3 p.m. PST: Sony Pictures Classics has confirmed TheWrap’s earlier scoop. The original story remains below. “I’m thrilled to be working with Michael, Tom and Dylan again,” said “Love Is Strange” director Ira Sachs. “What was clear from our meetings is that they understand the film as a New York love story anchored by two powerhouse performances by [John] Lithgow and [Alfred] Molina.” “Filmmaker Ira Sachs, one of our most acute observers of humanity in modern times, has made his most accomplished film featuring two of the greatest actors in the English speaking world at the peak of their form. It is a privilege to collaborate with them on releasing ‘Love Is Strange,’” Sony Pictures Classics said in a statement.]
EARLIER:
In a deal described as north of $1 million, Sony Pictures Classics is in final negotiations to acquire North American and German rights to Ira Sachs’ drama “Love Is Strange,” which stars John Lithgow and Alfred Molina as a married New York couple, according to an individual familiar with the situation.
“I wanted to make a film about love and the experience of love from the perspective of different generations and people at different places in their lives,” Sachs told TheWrap prior to Sundance, where the film earned some of the strongest reviews of the festival.
Also Read: Sundance: Sony Classics Nearing Deal for Miles Teller Drama ‘Whiplash’
Sachs directed “Love Is Strange” from a script he co-wrote with Mauricio Zacharias. Sachs also produced the film with Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy of Parts and Labor, as well as Lucas Joaquin.
Marisa Tomei and Cheyenne Jackson co-star in the film, which premiered on Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Eccles.
Also Read: Sundance: Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Icelandic Road Trip Comedy ‘Land Ho!’
Sony Classics has been very active in Park City this week, picking up Damien Chazelle’s “Whiplash” starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, as well as Martha Stephens and Aaron Katz’s Icelandic road trip comedy “Land Ho!”
“Love is Strange” continues WME Global’s red-hot sales streak at Sundance, following deals for opening night film “Whiplash” (Sony Pictures Classics), “I Origins” (Fox Searchlight), “Obvious Child” (A24 Films) and “Cold in July” (IFC Films).