Fox Searchlight is closing in on a deal to buy U.S. rights to Demolition, reuniting the specialty division with Wild director Jean-Marc Vallee, The Hollywood Reporter said.
Sources say Demolition, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts, sparked heated interest among U.S. buyers, with Searchlight emerging the victor. It's the latest example of a high-profile indie project selling before it is completed (the movie is currently in production). Chris Cooper also stars.
Based on a Black List script by Bryan Sipe, Demolition centers on an investment banker (Gyllenhaal) who finds himself in emotional turmoil after the death of his wife. He begins to rip apart his life to investigate where he went wrong but then meets a single mom (Watts) who rescues him from his darkness.
"I'm thrilled and excited to be back in business with Fox Searchlight," Vallee told The Hollywood Reporter. "They have been wonderful, creative partners on Wild. I look forward to collaborating again on Demolition."
The deal for the movie comes as Searchlight prepares to release Vallee's Wild on Dec. 5, a year after the filmmaker's Dallas Buyers Club turned into a box-office hit for Focus Features and a leading awards player. Vallee is back in the awards race this year with Wild.
