One of the buzziest titles to debut at this month’s Sundance Film Festival is already off the market. “Call Me By Your Name,” a love story in the tradition of “Brokeback Mountain,” has sold to Sony Pictures Classics, Variety has learned.
The deal for worldwide rights, estimated to be north of $6 million, was struck after several buyers expressed serious interest. The movie will debut in the upcoming festival’s Premieres section.
“Call Me By Your Name,” adapted from the beloved 2007 novel by Andre Aciman, follows an affair that spans 20 years after a chance meeting in 1980s Italy between a 17-year-old boy (Timothee Chalamet from “Homeland”) and a twentysomething man (Armie Hammer). It’s not clear what the movie will be rated, but the book involves a sexually explicit act with a peach and other charged moments.
In the 11 years since “Brokeback Mountain,” Hollywood has struggled to release many same-sex love stories that have crossed over into the mainstream (“Carol” and “The Kids Are All Right” were both confined to art houses). But “Call Me By Your Name” could connect with broader audiences as a result of its pedigree both behind and in front of the camera.
I mean... I'm happy that the most anticipated gay romance film since Brokeback now has the support of a major studio, but the fact that the film could be picked up by a rather mainstream studio probably means that a lot of the hardcore material from the book won't be seen on the big screen.
That's the part I want to see the most, but knowing these mainstream "indie" studios, I'm not counting on it.
Thats all the more reason to put it in. Controversy or shock will increase revenue and exposure. Its like taking the dude doing the pie out of American Pie. Or watering down Fifty Shades.
Thats all the more reason to put it in. Controversy or shock will increase revenue and exposure. Its like taking the dude doing the pie out of American Pie. Or watering down Fifty Shades.
Not really. The peach scene alone would guarantee an NC-17 rating, which would pretty much be a death warrant for the box office prospect in the US.
I mean... I'm happy that the most anticipated gay romance film since Brokeback now has the support
So, I guess Moonlight is just chopped liver since it doesn't have major studio support? I haven't heard a damn thing about this film, but I was perched for Moonlight since it came out of the Toronto Film Festival with incredible raves.
I haven't heard a damn thing about this film, but I was perched for Moonlight since it came out of the Toronto Film Festival with incredible raves.