Zach Braff’s Wish I Was Here will make its way to theaters in the summer.
Focus Features will release the film on July 18, 2014, in New York and Los Angeles, and then expand on July 25 and again on Aug. 1.
VIDEO: Sundance: Kate Hudson on Why She Joined Zach Braff’s ‘Wish I Was Here’
Braff directed and stars in the film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film also stars Kate Hudson and Mandy Patinkin. The story follows a 30-something man (Braff) who tries to home school his kids, but ends up analyzing his own life and career.
Other films opening on July 18 include the Wachowskis’ Jupiter Ascending and animated pic Planes: Fire and Rescue, both in wide release.
Focus Features bought the distribution rights to the film at the Sundance Film Festival for approximately $2.75 million, according to sources, with a significant theatrical commitment of about 600 theaters. The move marked the first big festival acquisition by Focus since owner Universal Pictures replaced CEO James Schamus with Peter Schlessel, and shifted focus from purely art house pics to a more commercial sensibility.
Braff, who made his directorial debut with the 2004 film Garden State, raised more than $3.1 million on Kickstarter for the film in one of the first major star-driven projects to be funded by the crowdfunding site. Backers who pledged for advance screenings rewards will be invited to attend early previews in their local markets.
