U.S. release planned for 'Orson Welles'

Richard Linklater helmer scheduled for Nov. 25

By Gregg Kilday

Sept 9, 2009, 05:38 PM ET

Richard Linklater's "Me and Orson Welles," which premiered at last year's Toronto International Film Festival, will be released theatrically in the U.S. on Nov. 25.

U.K. producer and financier Cinemanx has struck distribution deals with Freestyle Releasing, which will secure theaters; Warner Bros. Home Video, which will handle the DVD release; Hart/Lunsford Pictures, which will fund P&A costs; Cinetic, which was responsible for the Warners deal and is handling sales; and Russell Schwartz' Pandemic Marketing, which will oversee publicity and marketing.

The film stars Zac Efron and Claire Danes and introduces Christian McKay as the young Orson Welles.

Cinemanx has also struck a deal with U.K. distribution chain Vue Entertainment, which allows Cinemanx to produce and directly distribute titles, including "Welles."

"Cinemanx is pioneering this type of U.S. distribution strategy, and I think that says a lot about the vision of Cinemanx's Steve Christian and Marc Samuelson," Linklater said. "I'm excited about the possibilities, for myself and for other filmmakers."

U.S. release planned for 'Orson Welles'

Richard Linklater helmer scheduled for Nov. 25

By Gregg Kilday

Sept 9, 2009, 05:38 PM ET