AFM 2011: Sony Picks Up Michael Winterbottom's 'Bailout' Starring Jack Black

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has picked up Michael Winterbottom’s upcoming comedy Bailout, starring Jack Black, for multiple territories, including North America, South America, Australia, South Africa and Scandinavia from Ealing Metro.

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Jack Black to Star in Michael Winterbottom Comedy (Cannes)

dialogue with Michael Winterbottom

The comedy is based on the novel The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter. Black stars as Matt Prior, a down-on-his luck chump who finds himself jobless, deep in debt and convinced his wife is having an affair. He decides to go to extreme measures to get his life back.

Michael Besman (About Schmidt) and Melissa Parmenter (Trishna) are producing the Revolution Films/Ballyhoo/Electric Dynamite producion with shooting set to start in January 2012. Ealing said it will be announcing remaining cast members shortly.

The ever-industrious Winterbottom is also in early prep on a film based on the sensational murder trial, and eventual release, of Amanda Marie Knox.

“We’re delighted to partner with Sony on this film,” said Ealing Metro head Will Machin. “They share our enthusiasm for the project and our excitement at the pairing of Michael and Jack in this smart commercial comedy.”

Ealing's Machin negotiated the deal with SPWA’s EVP of business affairs Michael Helfand and VP of acquisitions and distribution Tana Evans.