Berlin 2012: Studiocanal Takes U.K. Rights to Richard Ayoade's ‘The Double’

Richard Ayoade's The Double, starring Jessie Eisenberg and Mia Wasikowska,has been snapped up by Studiocanal for the U.K. and Ireland on the eve of this year's EFM.

The title, which was subject to buyer heat going into the market, sees the French-owned distributor take all rights in the two territories except terrestrial television in the U.K.

There the project's co-financier and co-developer Film4, the standalone filmmaking unit of broadcaster Channel 4, retains British TV rights.

Studiocanal sealed the deal with U.K. sales and finance banner Protagonist Pictures as the stands and booths started going up ahead of the beginning of the EFM.

Set to shoot in the U.K. in May this year, the movie is based on an original idea by Avi Korine with the script co-written by Ayoade and Korine.

It details the story of an insignificant man driven to near breakdown by the appearance of his doppelganger.

The deal was negotiated between Alison Meese and Berenice Fugard for Studiocanal and Ben Roberts of Protagonist Pictures.

Produced by Amina Dasmal and Robin Fox of Alcove Entertainment, the picture will be co-produced by Andy Stebbing. The project was co-developed with andwill be co-financed by Film4.

The deal sees Ayoade re-united with Studiocanal after the French distribution label picked up U.K. rights to his directorial debut Submarine, which took north of $2 million on release in the U.K.

Ayoade is also known for his turns in TV comedy shows including The MightyBooshand The IT Crowd, and will soon be seen in sci-fi comedy NeighbourhoodWatchalongside Ben Stillerand Vince Vaughn.