Amazon Studios acquires Uncle Frank at Sundance 2020
Sundance 2020 is currently underway and this is a time for Amazon Studios to pick up buzzy titles. The latest is Uncle Frank from Alan Ball.
The Sundance Film Festival is an excellent time for Amazon Studios to pick up excellent films. In 2019, the streamer picked up The Report, Late Night, and Brittany Runs a Marathon. In 2020, it’s managed to land one of the festival’s buzziest titles, Uncle Frank.
It was a highly competitive deal, leading to Amazon acquiring the rights for $12 million. And those are the worldwide rights, according to Deadline, which means the movie will head to Amazon Prime Video internationally.
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What we don’t know is whether it’s heading to Amazon Prime Video right away or if it will get a theatrical release first. Amazon has tested a few methods out over the years, with Late Night getting a traditional theatrical run but The Report only getting two weeks in theaters before heading to Prime Video.
Uncle Frank is directed by Alan Ball and stars Paul Bettany in the lead role. Sophia Lillis, Peter Macdissi, Judy Greet, Steve Zahn, Stephen Root, and Margo Martindale also star in the movie. Lillis plays the 18-year-old niece of the titular character, and they both head off on a road trip to Frank’s former home. Frank’s father has passed away and Frank needs to bury him.
Of course, it’s a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. It’s one that Frank worries about, having been estranged from his father for many years due to his dad not accepting his sexuality. It just so happens that Frank’s partner, Walid, is also on the journey with them.
Oh, and it’s worth pointing out that this is all set in the South in 1973. That will certainly set the tone for Bettany’s performance of a lifetime.
It’s an exciting movie for Amazon Studios to acquire. Now all eyes will be on when the movie will arrive for the public.
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What do you think of Uncle Frank based on the premise? What do you hope to see Amazon acquire? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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