The Orchard is selling back the global rights for the big-screen dramedy “I Love You, Daddy” to Louis C.K., an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
The company had dropped the film — which C.K. directed, produced, co-wrote and starred in — from its release schedule on November 10, one day after the New York Times published a story in which five women accused the comedian of masturbating in front of them and other acts of sexual misconduct.
C.K.will pay back any money received as well as any marketing costs incurred by The Orchard — therefore, the indie distributor will not have any financial setback for its involvement in the film, which the company bought for $5 million at the Toronto Film Festival.
Money spent includes a brief mailing period of awards screeners to AMPAS, SAG, Golden Globes and Critics’ voting members.
“I Love You Daddy,” was written, directed, edited, produced, and stars C.K. as a a seasoned writer in the entertainment industry who tries to stop his teenage daughter (Chloe Grace Moretz) from her growing relationship with an aging filmmaker, played by John Malkovich.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and attracted controversy due to several jokes about child rape and the use of racial slurs by C.K.’s character.
The Orchard had originally scheduled an opening on November 17.
Deadline first reported the news.