Freestyle inks U.S. rights to 'Wild Target'

5:16 AM PDT 10/14/2010 by Carl DiOrio, Jay Fernandez

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Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, Rupert Everett and Rupert Grint (Getty)

Jonathan Lynn film is co.'s first all-U.S. rights acquisition

Expanding from its rent-a-system roots, Freestyle Releasing has splashed out a seven-figure sum for U.S. distribution rights to assassin thriller "Wild Target," starring Bill Nighy and Emily Blunt.

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Directed by Jonathan Lynn ("The Whole Nine Yards"), "Target" was produced by Martin Pope and Michael Rose via U.K.-based CinemaNX. The acquisition is Freestyle's first all-U.S. rights acquisition, on which it partnered with Joanne Storkan of Honest Engine Films.

Freestyle will begin the pic's platform rollout on Oct. 8.

"Target" follows the story of a middle-aged assassin (Nighy) drawn to one of his intended victims (Blunt). Additional cast include Rupert Everett and Rupert Grint, best known for his recurring role in the "Harry Potter" film series.

Freestyle co-toppers Mark Borde and Susan Jackson said in a statement the deal signals the company's diversification into film acquisition and distribution after a six-year history as a distributor-for-hire.

Borde negotiated the deal with Sloss Law partner Paul Brennan, while Honest Engine was repped by Kimberly Thigpen of Pfeiffer Thigpen FitzGibbon and Ziontz LLP.