Amazon Acquiring ‘Elvis & Nixon’ Starring Kevin Spacey

Amazon is making a big move into the film space by acquiring domestic rights to the Kevin Spacey-starring Elvis & Nixon.

The deal is nearly done. Amazon is acquiring the rights and teaming with Bleecker Street, which will release the film into theaters.

Michael Shannon co-stars in the Liza Johnson-helmed film, marking the director’s follow-up to the Kristen Wiig starrer Hateship Loveship.

The film, a re-creation of the real-life meeting at the White House between Elvis Presley (Shannon) and President Richard Nixon (Spacey), was written by Joey Sagal, Hanala Sagal and Cary Elwes.

Alex Pettyfer, Colin Hanks and Johnny Knoxville co-star in Elvis & Nixon, which began filming in January in Louisiana and Los Angeles.

Holly Wiersma and Cassian Elwes are producing. Johnny Mac, Dave Hansen, Laura Rister, Robert Ogden Barnum, Byron Wetzel and Jason A. Micallef are executive producing.

CAA (which reps Spacey) and Cassian Elwes brokered the deal, which first was shopped to buyers at Cannes in May.

Amazon made its first big step into film by hiring indie vet Ted Hope to run Amazon’s film production side earlier this year and since has expanded the team, bringing in veteran film executive Bob Berney as head of movie distribution and marketing. Amazon plans to produce and acquire original movies for theatrical release and early-window distribution. The goal is to release films on Amazon’s Prime Instant Video service — part of the $99-a-year Prime service that offers free shipping and other perks — between four and eight weeks after they premiere in theaters.