Hamlet 2: Electric Boogaloo

By Ryan 'The Rican with the Irish name' McLelland on January 23, 2008

One of the biggest sales in the history of Sundance appears to have been sealed, with Focus Features reportedly nabbing world rights to the high-school satire "Hamlet 2" for what sources say is about $10 million.

The deal, closed at the CAA condo at about 8 a.m. after a night of intense negotiations, would mark the biggest bidding war of the festival to date and one of the biggest in fest history, rivaling "Little Miss Sunshine," "Hustle and Flow," and "Happy, Texas."

"Hamlet" stars Steve Coogan as an overly dramatic drama teacher who attempts to salvage his high-school theater department by staging a controversial sequel to Shakespeare's play.

Andy Fleming's pic, a late edition to the fest, had top film execs gushing outside the Library after the Monday night screening, with the Weinstein Company, Lionsgate, Fox Searchlight and Par Vantage all interested in the picture. A post-screening dinner at Main Street eatery Jean Louis saw a number of execs huddling with the sales agent and the producers, which include L&E's Eric Eisner as well as "Little Miss Sunshine" producers Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa.

Fest watchers have kept a close eye on "Hamlet" negotiations, with the thought that the frenzy could jumpstart a lethargic sales market.

Source:Hollywood Reporter