Sundance 2013: The Weinstein Co. Acquires ‘Fruitvale’ for $2.5 Million

PARK CITY — The Weinstein Co. has acquired Fruitvale for $2.5 million upfront, according to sources.

The narrative film chronicles the true story of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old Hayward, Calif., native who was shot down by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer at the Fruitvale station in Oakland early on New Year’s Day 2009.

The film stars Michael B. Jordan as Grant, Oscar winner Octavia Spencer (The Help), Melonie Diaz, Ahna O’Reilly, Kevin Durand and Chad Michael Murray. It premiered Jan. 19 as part of Sundance’s U.S. Dramatic Competition at the MARC.

WME, which repped the filmmakers in the deal, fielded multiple studio offers before the Weinstein Co.’s David Glasser scooped it up. Harvey Weinstein, who was in Park City on Monday for the PGA Producers’ Breakfast, told The Hollywood Reporter he had not seen Fruitvale yet.

Fruitvale marks the feature writing and directing debut of 26-year-old Ryan Coogler, a graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts who also works as a counselor at juvenile hall in San Francisco.

THR’s review of Fruitvale said the film is “a debut that delivers significant energy and commitment.”

Email: Tatiana.Siegel@THR.com; Daniel.Miller@THR.com

Twitter: @TatianaSiegel27, @DanielNMiller