Toronto 2012: Weinstein Co. Making Big Push for Bradley Cooper's 'Pines'

TORONTO -- In talks that could lead to the first major acquisition deal of the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, The Weinstein Co. is aggressively pursuing Derek Cianfrance's The Place Beyond the Pines.

our editor recommends

'Bachelorette': How Harvey Weinstein Influenced the Raunchy Female Comedy (Video)

Box Office Report: Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana's 'The Words' Leading Soft Weekend

The drama -- starring Bradley Cooper, Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes -- made its world premiere Friday night at the festival. Buyers turned out in force to see the film, one of the most-hyped acquisition titles of the festival.

A source close to the dealmaking tells The Hollywood Reporter that The Weinstein Co. has put in a bid for the film and a deal could be imminent. If so, TWC would make a natural home for the movie, having released Cianfrance's Blue Valentine, also starring Gosling, in 2010. 

FILM REVIEW: The Place Beyond the Pines

WME and CAA are co-repping domestic rights to Beyond the Pines, a multi-generational drama about family and the cycle of violence, from producers Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Sierra/Affinity, Jamie Patricof, Alex Orlovsky and Lynette Howell.

Buyers had been offered a chance to bid on Beyond the Pines sight-unseen. TWC was among those making a pitch, but dealmaking stepped up upon the film's premiere.

However, many buyers at Friday's screening stressed that they wanted to gauge the film's reviews before making an offer.

Email: Tatiana.siegel@thr.com, Pamela.mcclintock@thr.com