Summit nabs Seth Rogen-James McAvoy film

Betting that laughs can be found in a cancer diagnosis, Summit Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Mandate Pictures' untitled Seth Rogen/James McAvoy project.

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Formerly titled "I'm With Cancer," the project began with an autobiographical script by Will Reiser, who successfully beat the disease.

McAvoy will star as a young man who learns he has cancer. Also headlining are Rogen and Anna Kendrick as well as Bryce Dallas Howard, who has just come aboard.

Jonathan Levine, who most recently helmed "The Wackness," will direct. Rogen, his writing/producer partner Evan Goldberg and Ben Karlin are producing, with Reiser serving as executive producer with Mandate president Nathan Kahane.

"It's rare to find a script that has you laughing and crying in equal measure or a cast and director as perfectly suited to get the tone of this unique and moving film as perfectly right," Summit president of production Erik Feig said.

Feig and Summit senior vp acquisitions and co-productions Michael Schaefer will oversee for the studio, while Nicole Brown shepherds for Mandate.

The film begins shooting this month in Vancouver; Lionsgate International will handle international sales at the European Film Market, which begins Thursday in Berlin.

Howard, repped by ICM and Management 360, is part of the Summit's "Twilight" franchise. Levine, repped by CAA and Ragna Nervik Management, also has signed to direct Summit's zombie tale "Warm Bodies," based on a book by Isaac Marion.

McAvoy, Rogen, Reiser, Goldberg and Karlin are repped by UTA, while CAA also reps Kendrick.