In Beirut, which Signature picked up from Trumbo and Captain Fantastic production outfit ShivHans Pictures, a U.S. diplomat flees Lebanon in 1972 after a tragic incident at his home. Ten years later, he is called back to war-torn Beirut by a CIA operative to negotiate for the life of a friend he left behind. Brad Anderson (The Machinist) directs the spy-thriller starring Baby Driver actor Hamm and Gone Girl star Pike. Script comes from Bourne scribe Tony Gilroy. Good Universe handles international sales on the Sundance 2018 title which was picked up by Bleecker Street for the U.S.
Separately, Signature has struck a deal with Fortitude International for comedy Ideal Home in which Philomena and Alan Partridge star Steve Coogan and Ant-Man’s Paul Rudd play Erasmus and Paul, two long-term lovers whose bickering is as epic as their parties. When the grandson Erasmus never knew he had shows up at their doorstep one night, the pair are plunged unpreparedly into parenthood. Andrew Fleming (Hamlet 2) directs the Remstar Studios and Baby Cow Films movie.
Finally, via a deal struck with Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment, the company has bought Robert Sheehan (The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones) and David Tennant (Dr Who) action-thriller Bad Samaritan, about two thieves who uncover more than they bargained for when the break into a house that looks like an easy win. Independence Day producer Devlin directs and produces.
Commenting on the acquisitions, Signature’s Chief Executive Officer Marc Goldberg told us, “Our latest acquisitions mark a triumphant milestone for Signature, as we continue to lead the way as independent distributors with our commercially driven, quality and cast-lead releases. These titles not only deliver superior entertainment but incredible opportunities, allowing us to elevate our titles with mainstream marketing and prominence in the market place; a unique position that ensures Signature continue to pioneer the market with exciting release strategies that our partners and filmmakers can be proud of.”
As previously announced out of Berlin, the UK outfit recently picked up rights to buzzed-about Danish thriller The Guilty from Scandi powerhouse TrustNordisk. The Sundance Audience Award winner follows an alarm dispatcher and former police officer who answers an emergency call from a kidnapped woman. When the call is suddenly disconnected, the search for the woman and her kidnapper begins with the phone as the officer’s only tool. Magnolia snapped up U.S. rights to the pic, which boasts a 100% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Home ent specialist Signature plans to release all four movies later this year with small theatrical components. Recent releases for the company include Beyond Skyline starring Frank Grillo and Iko Uwais, Jungle starring Daniel Radcliffe and The Titan starring Sam Worthington, Taylor Schilling and Tom Wilkinson. In 2017, the firm made its first major foray into production on Scott Mann action pic Final Score, which is released in the UK later this year.