Lionsgate nabs domestic rights to 'Imogene'

Lionsgate nabs domestic rights to 'Imogene'

Pic stars Wiig, Bening, Dillon, Criss

"Imogene"

"Imogene"

Lionsgate has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Kristen Wiig's comedy "Imogene" following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The minimajor made the announcement Monday night, four days after the premiere. It plans to release the pic jointly with partner Roadside Attractions.

Wiig portrays a washed-up playwright who fakes her own suicide as a ploy to get the attention of her ex-boyfriend and winds up remanded to the custody of her dysfunctional family. Annette Bening plays the gambling-addicted mother with Matt Dillon, Christopher Fitzgerald and Darren Criss also starring.

The "American Splendor" helming team of Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman direct from a screenplay by Michelle Morgan.

Producers are Celine Rattray ("The Kids Are All Right") and Trudie Styler under their Maven Pictures banner, with Anonymous Content's Alix Madigan and Mark Amin. "Imogene" is exec produced by Wiig, Morgan, Anonymous Content's Steve Golin, and Miranda Bailey.

Project was set up last summer with Maven on the heels of Wiig's breakout success with "Bridesmaids." Madigan and Golin developed "Imogene," taking the project to Maven with Pulcini and Springer Berman attached.

The deals were negotiated on behalf of Lionsgate by Jason Constantine, Wendy Jaffe and Eda Kowan for Lionsgate while UTA Independent Film Group represented the filmmakers in the sale.

Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com