Harvey Weinstein has acquired the domestic distribution rights to indie producer John Wells’ directorial debut The Company Men, starring Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Costner, Chris Cooper, Maria Bello and Rosemarie DeWitt.
Here’s what Weinstein had to say about the pick-up:
“I am thrilled to be in business with John Wells and my old friend Ben Affleck. John [Wells] has put together a tremendous cast to tell this timely story and I look forward to bringing it to audiences.” [Deadline Hollywood]
To get a better feel for what this recession-set drama is about, check out this superb interview with John Wells himself on /Film. The film deals with business men, young and old, dealing with layoffs. Some have called it Up in the Air without as many jokes. Others say it’s better. Sounds like something worth watching if that be the case.
Wells has been around for two decades, first a television producer in the 90s, then an indie producer behind some of the better small gems of the 2000s (The Good Thief, Far From Heaven, One Hour Photo, etc.).
And though it would appear TWC has no actual money, it’s nice to see they’re still picking up films that say something worth saying, or at least try to. Expect Derek Cianfrance’s Blue Valentine (starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams) to open December 31st, Tom Hooper’s Colin Firth-led The King’s Speech on November 26th, doc The Tillman Story on August 20th and Nowhere Boy (starring Aaron Johnson as a young John Lennon) on October 8th. Oh yea, and Piranha 3D in August. I guess that last one won’t have much to say. But it should be fun to watch, eh?
Are you excited for The Company Men? What do you think of TWC as a business model?