Black Dynamite

This year's Sundance Film Festival kicked off last Thursday in Park City, Utah and some filmmakers are already seeing a return on their investment.

After its 11:30 p.m. premier Sunday and overnight negotiations, Sony Pictures purchased the rights to Black Dynamite early Monday morning for around $2 million. The "blaxploitation" film directed by Scott Sanders is set in the 1970s and centers around drugs, violence and the mysterious hero "Black Dynamite."

After watching the trailer, Black Dynamite immediately brings to mind some mix of the 1970s films, Shaft and Dolemite. Most of us will have to wait until its wide release sometime in the second half of the year to see what all the hype is about.

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Brooklyn's Finest

In a higher profile deal from Sundance's opening weekend, Senator Distribution picked up North American rights to Antoine Fuqua's Brooklyn's Finest on Saturday.

Brooklyn's Finest is Fuqua's latest cop drama starring Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke and Don Cheadle. Senator's president Mark Urman noted the film's award potential referencing Ethan Hawke's Oscar nomination in Fuqua's previous cop film Training Day.

Though the deal was rumored to be nearly $5 million, the film still needs some work. Discussions focused on reworking the music and the ending continued through the weekend.

Source: Variety