Black Bear’s fledgling US theatrical distribution operation is reportedly weighing up US rights to The Rivals Of Amziah King starring Matthew McConaughey, which garnered strong reviews after its SXSW world premiere earlier this year.
Black Bear fully financed, produced and launched international sales in Cannes two years ago on the Oklahoma-set crime drama about a beekeeper who reconnects with his estranged foster daughter and investigates a crime.
The feature drew a rousing response from the SXSW audience in Austin, Texas, but has remained on the table until now.
However with a pipeline to fill, ambitious Black Bear may be about to release a film it made and originally tried to sell on to another distributor. The new division led by president Ben Kramer just hired former Lionsgate distribution supremo David Spitz to head up US distribution.
Depsite the plaudits for The Rivals Of Amziah King, it remains to be seen whether the deal would pave the way for a 2025 release and possible awards run, or wait until 2026. Black Bear representatives did not return calls since trade press reports appeared on Friday afternoon.
The fact that an acclaimed feature led by a star who has not appeared in a film – besides voice roles – since The Gentlemen in 2019 speaks volumes about a cautious US distribution sector. Buyers have been rocked in the past few years by a pandemic, Hollywood strikes, cost-cutting, the ongoing prevalence of streaming, and the challenge of standing out in a competitive marketplace.
Black Bear has its pawprints over two acquisition titles premiering in TIFF next month: it produced and handles sales on Sydney Sweeney boxing biopic Christy directed by David Michôd; and backed and handles international sales on Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall lead Daniel Roher’s heist thriller Tuner, which UTA Independent Film Group represents for North America.
McConaughey also stars in Paul Greengrass’s TIFF world premiere The Lost Bus from Apple Original Films.