Hot TIFF Buy: Paramount Nabs Chris Rock’s ‘Top Five’ for Over $12.5 Million
In what is likely to be the biggest acquisition at the Toronto International Film Festival, following a bidding war Paramount has reportedly purchased the rights to “Top Five,” written by, directed by and starring Chris Rock, for a whopping $12.5 million (although some reports saying the sale is closer to $15 million), according to Deadline.
The film had its debut Saturday night in Toronto, to a tremendous response from the audience as well a critics. In its review of the film, The Hollywood Reporter wrote, “Following an electrifying Toronto premiere, Top Five should find its way to the top of many a distributor’s wish list, with both critical and box office success more or less guaranteed.”
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In the film, Rock plays Andre Allen, a stand-up comedian turned superstar comic actor who wants to be taken seriously (semi-autobiographical much?). Gabrielle Union, Rosario Dawson and Tracy Morgan co-star along with various cameos including Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg, Charlie Rose and Gabourey Sidibe.
Other bidders included Sony, Fox Searchlight, Open Road, A24, CBS Films, Relativity and Lionsgate.
