Tribeca 2015: Saban Films Picks Up ‘Man Up’

Saban Films has acquired North American distribution rights to Man Up, just two days after the Simon Pegg– and Lake Bell-starrer had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.

The British romantic comedy, directed by Ben Palmer and written by Tess Morris, follows a mismatched couple on their adventures throughout London.

Rory Kinnear and Olivia Williams round out the cast.

StudioCanal is handling international sales and co-produced the film with Big Talk Pictures’ Nira Park, James Biddle and Rachael Prior. The movie was co-financed by BBC Films. Matthew Justice, Pegg, Dan Cheesbrough, Jenny Borgars, Danny Perkins, Christine Langan and Joe Oppenheimer serve as executive producers.

“Man Up is a surprising love story led by two hilarious and talented actors — Simon Pegg and Lake Bell,” said Saban Films president Bill Bromiley in a statement. “We’re always looking to acquire smart and distinctive films, and this one is going to be incredibly appealing to a commercial audience.”

StudioCanal’s head of international film sales, Anna Marsh, added: “It is a great pleasure to be in business with the talented team at Saban. We look forward to working together with them to bring this heartwarming, romantic film to the big screen soon in North America.”

Bromiley and Ness Saban negotiated the deal on behalf of Saban Films with Aska Yamaguchi of Studiocanal on behalf of the producers.

Saban Films launched just prior to last year’s Cannes Film Festival, where the company acquired Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank‘s The Homesman. Saban has also acquired American Heist, starring Hayden Christensen, Adrien Brody, Jordana Brewster and Akon; Tracers, starring Taylor Lautner; How to Make Love Like an Englishman, starring Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek and Jessica Alba; Nicolas Cage‘s The Trust; and John Travolta‘s The Forger.