Sony acquires Sundance Midnight flick 'Black Dynamite'
Blaxploitation flick seen as having franchise potential
In a startling turn of events, "Black Dynamite," one of the more initially dismissed Midnight Series entries at this year's Sundance Film Festival has become the second major acquisition of the festival.
According to Indiewire, Scott Sanders' homage to blaxploitation films starring Michael Jai White sold to Sony Worldwide Acquisitions Group (which likely means a Screen Gems release) for $2 million. The film debuted at 11:30 AM with the deal closing in the early morning hours for the festival's first all-night negotiating binge.
The film will release later this year with Sony committing to a seven figure marketing and distribution commitment for what they hope is a possible new franchise.
Ironically, buzz on the film was weak after screeners started getting passed around before the festival. The premiere audience and Sony obviously disagreed.
The indie film haven also reports that deals are in the works for Bobcat Goldthwait's "World's Greatest Dad," Lee Daniel's "Push: Based on a Novel by Sapphire," "The Carter" and "Cold Souls."
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January 20, 2009 at 7:11PM EST Reply to Commentif this movie is anything like the trailer sugests.. then I will be there on opening day with a 40 ounce, ready for a great time.. this movie looks awesome! glad to see it got picked up so quickly.