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News > Hamlet 2 Gets Picked up by Focus Features

Written by David Morgan

Focus Features has bought the distribution rights to comedy Hamlet 2, for a Sundance record of $10 million, according to some sources. The film stars Steve Coogan as a high school drama teacher who attempts to save the theater department by writing and staging a controversial sequel to William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Catherine Keener co-stars, and Andy Fleming is the director.

The Hollywood Reporter says that the film's premiere on Monday night cause quite a stir amongst executives from several companies including The Weinstein Co., Lionsgate, Fox Searchlight, and Paramount Vantage. Ultimately Focus Features won the rights (though at considerable expense) and we'll be hearing about a release date any day now.