Weinstein Company in talks to acquire Dustin Hoffman-directed “Quartet”May 3, 2012 - 16:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Weinstein Company is negotiating to acquire U.S. and Latin America distribution rights to Quartet, the Dustin Hoffman-directed comedy that stars Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Michael Gambon and Pauline Collins. The script was written by Ronald Harwood. The deal is upwards of $3 million, Deadline reported. This was a stealth pursuit by TWC’s Harvey Weinstein and David Glasser, but that cover was blown when an acquisition screening scheduled for this evening was abruptly scrapped, with rumors that a buyer paid $4 million for the film. In Quartet, Cecily, Reggie and Wilfred reside in a home for retired opera singers and each year they stage a concert to celebrate Verdi’s birthday. Reggie’s ex-wife Jean arrives at the home and creates massive disharmony, playing the diva part but refusing to sing. The deal is being closed by WME Global’s Graham Taylor. TWC is planning a qualifying run in awards season. The acquisition was done based on reading the script, and viewing a trailer for the film. TWC’s London-based Negen Yazdi and business affairs exec Talia Houminer are tying up the deal right now. The film marks the directorial debut of Hoffman, who though uncredited had a hand in helming the Ulu Grosbard-directed 1978 pic Straight Time. Top stories Ara Aivazian said Azerbaijan continues the traditions of Turkey after seizing territories and forced Armenians out. The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |