Mike Fleming

EXCLUSIVE: In their second major deal of the Toronto International Film Festival, Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions have teamed to acquire Everything Must Go, the Dan Rush-directed drama that stars Will Ferrell. I’m told the deal was north of a $3 million minimum guarantee. I’ve heard that dealmakers at ICM and CAA had about 5 offers, but finally closed with Lionsgate and Roadside. This is the latest in a spectacular flurry of 11th hour acquisition deals at Toronto heading into the fest’s final weekend. (It’s not over. I’m told that Focus Features is zeroing in on a deal for the Mike Mills-directed film Beginners.)

Everything Must Go, financed by Twilight producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, stars Ferrell as a recovering alcoholic who loses his resolve after he gets fired from his job, and returns home to find his wife has placed all his belongings on his front lawn. He resolves to start anew, after selling all of those possessions in a lawn sale. The film was inspired by a Raymond Carver short story, and Rush wrote the script.

Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions also teamed to buy the Robert Redford-directed historical drama The Conspirator, which will be released next March. Lionsgate separately acquired Rabbit Hole, and will release that picture in the heat of Oscar season to take advantage of an exceptionally strong performance by Nicole Kidman.