DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, currently in post-production, has been acquired by Focus Features for domestic theatrical release in the second half of 2013. The company has also acquired Latin American rights to the feature. Focus CEO James Schamus and Focus president Andrew Karpen made the announcement today.
A Truth Entertainment production, Dallas Buyers Club is produced by Robbie Brenner and Rachel Winter. Spirit Award winner
Matthew McConaughey stars in the fact-based drama for director Jean-Marc Vallée (The Young Victoria). The film's original screenplay is by Craig Borten and Melissa Wallack.
In Dallas Buyers Club, Mr. McConaughey portrays real-life Texas electrician Ron Woodroof, an ordinary man who found himself in a life-or-death battle with the medical establishment and pharmaceutical companies. In 1986, Ron was blindsided by being diagnosed as HIV-positive and given 30 days to live. With the U.S. still internally divided over how to combat the virus and restricting medications, Ron grabbed hold of non-toxic alternative treatments from all over the world by means both legal and illegal. Seeking to avoid government sanctions against selling non-approved medicines and supplements, he established a "buyers club," which fellow HIV-positive people could join for access to his supplies.
The cast of Dallas Buyers Club also includes Gotham Independent Film Award winner
Jared Leto and Golden Globe Award winner
Jennifer Garner. The movie's executive producers are Truth Entertainment's Tony Notargiacomo and Joe Newcomb; Nicholas Chartier; Cassian Elwes; Logan Levy; Nathan Ross; and Holly Wiersma.
Mr. Schamus and Mr. Karpen commented, "
Matthew McConaughey is an actor at the top of his game, and he incarnates Ron Woodroof by showing how his self-interest was galvanized into something much more. Audiences will want to take this journey with him,
Jared Leto, and
Jennifer Garner, as guided by their dynamic director Jean-Marc Vallée."
Mr. Vallée said, "I'm extremely pleased that we are partnered with Focus Features. They have a long and successful history of sharing memorable stories. Ron Woodroof's story is one of an imperfect man and his fight for survival, during a confused and desperate time. We all believe that this film had to finally be made, and we are all grateful and privileged to be part of this project."
Focus Features and
Focus Features International (www.focusfeatures.com) comprise a singular global company. This worldwide studio makes original and daring films that challenge the mainstream to embrace and enjoy voices and visions from around the world that deliver global commercial success. The company operates as
Focus Features in North America, and as
Focus Features International (FFI) in the rest of the world.
The current and upcoming
Focus Features slate includes
Derek Cianfrance's drama The Place Beyond the Pines, starring
Ryan Gosling,
Bradley Cooper, and
Eva Mendes; The World's End, the third installment of Edgar Wright's trilogy of comedies starring
Simon Pegg and
Nick Frost; Closed Circuit, the suspense thriller directed by
John Crowley and starring
Eric Bana and
Rebecca Hall; the true-life dramatic thriller Kill the Messenger, to be directed by Michael Cuesta and star
Jeremy Renner; and the comedic fable The Boxtrolls, the new animated feature from LAIKA, directed by Anthony Stacchi and Graham Annable with a voice cast that includes
Ben Kingsley,
Toni Collette,
Elle Fanning, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, and
Tracy Morgan.
Focus Features is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast Corporation.
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