Saban Films Acquires Rights To “Man Up” Following The Tribeca World Premiere

Saban Films has acquired the North American distribution rights to MAN UP starring Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz, Star Trek Into Darkness), Lake Bell (In A World, Million Dollar Arm), Rory Kinnear (Imitation Game, Skyfall) and Olivia Williams (Maps To The Stars).

Directed by Ben Palmer and written by Tess Morris, the film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 19. STUDIOCANAL is selling the film worldwide.

When Nancy (Bell) is mistaken for Jack's (Pegg) blind date under the clock at Waterloo Station, she decides to take fate into her own hands and just go with it.  What could possibly go wrong?  MAN UP is an honest, heart-warming romantic comedy about taking chances and rolling with the consequences. One night, two people, on a first date like no other...

"MAN UP is a surprising love story led by two hilarious and talented actors – Simon Pegg and Lake Bell," said Saban Films President Bill Bromiley. "We're always looking to acquire smart and distinctive films and this one is going to be incredibly appealing to a commercial audience."

Anna Marsh, Head of International Film Sales at STUDIOCANAL added "It is a great pleasure to be in business with the talented team at Saban. We look forward to working together with them to bring this heart-warming, romantic film to the big screen soon in North America".

MAN UP is co-produced by STUDIOCANAL, Big Talk Pictures' Nira Park, James Biddle, and Rachael Prior, and co-financed by BBC Films. Executive producers include Matthew Justice, Simon Pegg, Dan Cheesbrough, Jenny Borgars, Danny Perkins, Christine Langan and Joe Oppenheimer.

Bill Bromiley and Ness Saban negotiated the deal on behalf of Saban Films with Aska Yamaguchi of STUDIOCANAL on behalf of the producers.

Saban Films launched just prior to the 2014 Cannes International Film Festival where they acquired THE HOMESMAN, starring Academy Award® winners Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank following its world premiere in competition. Saban Films released The Homesman stateside with Roadside Attractions on November 14th.

Saban Films have been active since their launch, acquiring the U.S. rights to: How To Make Love Like An Englishman starring Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek and Jessica Alba; Philip Martin's The Forger starring John Travolta; American Heist starring Hayden Christensen, Academy Award Winner® Adrien Brody, Jordana Brewster, Tory Kittles and Aliaune "AKON" Thiam; TRACERS starring Taylor Lautner; and Alex and Ben Brewer's THE TRUST starring Nicolas Cage.

Saban Films, an affiliate of Saban Capital Group ("SCG"), is a film acquisition and distribution company which acquires high-quality, feature films to distribute in North America.  Focusing on commercial, talent driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production for release across multiple platforms, including a day and date theatrical/VOD release strategy. Based in Los Angeles, Saban Films was established by Haim Saban, SCG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and is led by Bill Bromiley who serves as president, Shanan Becker, Chief Financial Officer and Ness Saban, Director of Business Development.

STUDIOCANAL is a subsidiary of the CANAL+ Group. It is one of Europe's leading companies in the market for co-production, acquisition, distribution of international feature films and TV series. STUDIOCANAL is the only studio operating simultaneously in the three main European territories - France, the United Kingdom and Germany - as well as in Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, STUDIOCANAL owns one of the most important libraries in the world, with more than 5,000 international titles.

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