NEW YORK — Focus Features has picked up the domestic and Latin American distribution rights to Jean-Marc Vallée’s “Dallas Buyers Club,” Focus CEO James Schamus and Focus president Andrew Karpen said Tuesday.
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.
“I’m extremely pleased that we are partnered with Focus Features,” Vallée said. “They have a long and successful history of sharing memorable stories.”
The film is currently in post-production. It’s slated for release later this year.
