Entertainment One Features (eOne) has announced that Open Road Films has acquired the US rights to David Brent’s upcoming Life on the Road.
Directed, written by and starring Ricky Gervais, Life on the Road sees a documentary crew catching up with Brent – former star of hit series “The Office” and now working as a travelling salesman – as he chases his dream of rock stardom by self-financing a UK tour with his band, “Foregone Conclusion.”
“David Brent getting a big US theatrical release? He can die happy now. (Spoiler alert – he does not die in this movie),” said Gervais.
eOne Features handles worldwide rights to Life on the Road. eOne has confirmed that Life on the Road will open in the UK on August 19, 2016, with Open Road planning for a wide theatrical release in the US shortly thereafter.
“Ricky Gervais is a comic genius and we can’t wait to see where he takes this beloved character,” stated Tom Ortenberg, CEO, Open Road Films.
“We are delighted that the roads met on this film. It’s great to have a strong US partner like Open Road on board to bring the film to US audiences in a big way and we’re excited to see ‘Life on the Road’ find leading distribution partners across all territories,” said Xavier Marchand, President, eOneFeatures.
The deal was negotiated by Marchand and Head of Business and Legal Affairs for eOne Films UK,Spyro Markesinis, with Ortenberg, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, Elliott Kleinberg, and Executive Vice President of Production and Acquisitions, Peter Lawson for Open Road. Life on the Road will be financed by eOne and BBC Films.
