She's Funny That Way

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variety.com/2014/film/news/toronto-jennifer-anistons-shes-funny-that-way-nears-4-million-deal-with-clarius-entertainment-exclusive-1201305362/

Toronto might be inching to a close, but the second weekend of the festival saw another heated bidding war. New distributor Clarius Entertainment is nearing a $4 million deal for domestic rights to the screwball comedy “She’s Funny That Way,” Variety has learned.

The film is directed by Peter Bogdanovich, after a 13-year hiatus, and stars Owen Wilson (as a Broadway director who hires a prostitute), Imogen Poots (as the call girl) and Jennifer Aniston (as a therapist).

Clarius has so far released the animated “Legends of Oz” and Michael Douglas comedy “And So It Goes.” It hopes to make a big splash with its latest acquisition.

“She’s Funny That Way” premiered at the Venice Film Festival in late August, and although it wasn’t officially a Toronto selection, it screened in Canada this week. Several studios placed competitive bids for the project, given its commercial potential.

The deal, which is being handled by CAA and UTA, is expected to close on Sunday.

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deadline.com/2015/04/shes-funny-that-way-release-date-jennifer-aniston-owen-wilson-1201413564/

Peter Bogdanovich Comedy ‘She’s Funny That Way’ With Owen Wilson & Jennifer Aniston Sets August Release

Take that, Birdman! The Broadway-set screwball comedy reteaming Marley & Me stars Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson is the first from the They All Laughed director in 14 years. Nascent distributor Clarius Entertainment set the opening for August 21; it will bow against Lionsgate/Summit actioner Criminal, Warner’s romantic drama Me Before You and Focus’ horror sequel Sinister 2. Funny made its debut at last summer’s Venice Film Festival.

Bogdanovich co-wrote the screenplay with Louise Stratten. The also cast includes Imogen Poots, Jennifer Esposito, Kathryn Hahn, Will Forte and Rhys Ifans.

Story centers on stage director Arnold Albertson (Wilson), who arrives in New York City ahead of his family and treats himself to a one-night stand with spunky, charismatic Brooklynite Izzy (Poots). Assuming they’ll go their separate ways and never meet again, they’re both shocked when she walks in to audition for a role in his new show alongside his actress wife Delta (Hahn). She nails her audition so well that he has no choice but to cast her. The leading man (Ifans) is Delta’s former flame, not-so-secretly still in love with her. He also is privy to Arnold’s indiscretion with Izzy.

Aniston plays Izzy’s sarcastic, narcissistic therapist Jane, possibly the worst therapist on the planet and consumed with her own failing relationship with Arnold’s playwright Josh (Forte), a nice guy who’s developing a crush on starlet Izzy.

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www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/peter-bogdanovich-movie-arbitration-distribution-819557


Peter Bogdanovich Movie in Arbitration Over Distribution

The original distributor allegedly couldn't come up with money to fund a wide release with significant advertising.
The newest Peter Bogdanovich film, She's Funny That Way, starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, is only in a handful of theaters at the moment with limited marketing, and the producers have a target for blame.

STTN Capital is currently in arbitration against Clarius Capital Group, which originally acquired domestic distribution rights on the film last October. According to legal papers, the parties came together for a short form agreement — but not a long form version —that guaranteed that She's Funny That Way would be released on at least 1,500 screens in the U.S. and a print and advertisement commitment of more than $24.5 million.

But Clarius allegedly only made a $900,000 payment on a $4.5 million minimum guarantee and couldn't come up with the funds to release the picture theatrically.

Last April, STTN sent out formal notice it was terminating the agreement and warning Clarius from interfering with negotiations with a new distributor.

The producer would later reach agreement with Lionsgate affiliate Grindstone to release She's Funny That Way, but according to the arbitration papers, STTN had to settle for a lesser minimum guarantee, a 30 percent distribution fee, and a smaller theatrical release without the big ad spend.

This has become the basis of the arbitration. STTN aims to make up the difference with damages estimated to exceed $5 million over a comedy about a Broadway production.

In arbitration, STTN is also asserting that Clarius and its chief William Sadleir have "co-mingled funds," "diverted corporate funds and assets," and misrepresented available financing. The claimant is pursuing an alleged breach of contract, fraud and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

The matter is being handled on behalf of STTN by attorney Martin Barab, been assigned to arbitrator Diane Wayne, and is awaiting discovery and a hearing date. The film was released on August 20 and has grossed less than $100,000 amid less-than-stellar critical reviews.

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Clarius and will update with any response.