Mike Fleming

TORONTO: The Weinstein Company has acquired Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films-produced Submarine after an all-night bargaining session with WME. The deal is around $1 million minimum guarantee with a P&A commitment. There were three other bidders. The picture will be released in 2011. Directed by Richard Ayoade in his feature debut, Submarine is an adaptation of the Joe Dunthorne coming of age novel following a 15-year old boy through the impending breakup of his parents’ marriage and his own first relationship. The film premiered Sunday at the Winter Garden, but bidding really heated up last night. Its deal was finally closed after a marathon session between TWC’s Harvey Weinstein, David Glasser and Laine Kline, along with WME’s Graham Taylor and Mark Ankner and Protagonist’s Ben Roberts. This now makes 3 Toronto films bought by the Weinstein Co including Sarah’s Key and Dirty Girl.