Universal Lands Michael Shannon’s Sundance Thriller ‘Frank & Lola’
Zack Sharf
Universal has picked up a majority of worldwide distribution rights for Matthew M. Ross’ romantic thriller “Frank & Lola,” starring Michael Shannon and Imogen Poots. The movie, produced by Killer Films, had its world premiere earlier this week at Sundance.
The official synopsis reads: “Frank is a brooding, staunch Las Vegas chef who always focused his energy into his culinary talents — until he meets Lola, a young and beautiful enigma. Together, Frank and Lola build an intense relationship that saves each other from their mutual despair. Cracks begin to show after Lola suddenly cheats on Frank, which leads to Frank’s evolving mistrust of Lola and a growing obsession with an imposing man from her past. As Frank is given the chance to cook for a famed Parisian restaurateur, he is overcome by extreme thoughts of betrayal, causing him to seek revenge and answers. But what he learns about Lola is not black and white, and trust gives way to a web of deceit.”
The movie was pretty much the last buzzy Sundance title left without a distributor, and the deal is Universal’s first major buy at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. The film will not be released through Universal’s main label, but the $2 million deal calls for a theatrical release, so Universal’s label Focus Features or a third-party distributor will step in for the release.
CAA and Preferred Content negotiated the domestic deal on behalf of the filmmakers, while Arclight handled the foreign rights. The purchase was first reported by Deadline.
