CBS Films Negotiating to Pick Up 'Seven Psychopaths' for the U.S.

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CBS Films is negotiating to grab U.S. distribution rights to the action comedy Seven Psychopaths, from writer-director Martin McDonagh. The acquisition comes on the heels of news that president-CEO Amy Baer is stepping down at the end of October.

Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken are set to star in the film, which follows a screenwriter (Farrell) working on a script called "Seven Psychopaths" who gets sucked into the dog-kidnapping schemes of his buddies (Rockwell, Walken) just as the beloved Shih Tzu of a crazy gangster disappears. Mickey Rourke and Tom Waits are also in contention for roles. Filming is scheduled to begin this fall in L.A.

Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin of Blueprint Pictures are attached to produce; Tessa Ross will serve as executive producer. CBS Films acquisitions exec Scott Shooman will oversee the project for the studio.

CBS Films will also co-finance the project. U.K.-based HanWay Films is handling international sales.

Farrell starred in McDonagh's previous film, In Bruges, which was nominated for an original screenplay Oscar in 2008. Blueprint produced that film, as well.

CBS Films has lately been focusing more on acquisitions, including Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, which the company picked up at the Toronto film festival three weeks ago for around $5 million. It most recently released Beastly and The Mechanic, and it will open The Woman in Black, another acquisition, in February.