IFC Films Picks Up James Gunn’s ‘Super’

In what Deadline is describing as a “major deal’ IFC Films has picked up the rights to James Gunn’s latest film Super. The deal happened late last night during the currently running Toronto Film Festival and is reportedly of the seven figure variety.

In the film, Rainn Wilson plays Frank, a man who’s wife (Liv Tyler) leaves him for a seductive drug dealer (Kevin Bacon). Because of this, Frank decides to don the guise of a superhero called Crimson Bolt to wreak havoc on villains everywhere.

With his trusty sidekick Boltie (Ellen Page) Frank takes to the streets to stop evil doers and in the process tries to regain his self-respect and the affections of his wife. Plus, he uses his plumber’s wrench to good effect and crushes a few bad guys skulls in the process.

No word yet on IFC’s release plans for the film but we’ll bring it to you when we know. In the meantime, for more info on this deal check out the full press release from IFC after the jump.

New York, NY (September 12, 2010) – IFC Films, the leading American distributor of independent and foreign films, announced today that the company has acquired U.S. rights to James Gunn’s shockingly hilarious SUPER after an all-night auction that concluded this morning. IFC Films will release SUPER under its new IFC Midnight banner. SUPER was also written by Gunn, and was produced by Miranda Bailey via her LA-based production company, Ambush Entertainment and Ted Hope, via his Gotham-based production company This is that.

Ambush’s financing arm, Cold Iron Pictures, financed the film which was executive-produced by Matthew Leutwyler of Ambush Entertainment and Rainn Wilson. The film which stars Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler and Kevin Bacon, premiered Friday night at the 2010 Toronto Film Festival to tremendous audience response.

Hanway Films is handling international sales and has already sold the film in over 15 foreign territories including: Italy (M2 Pictures), Australia (Village Roadshow), and Scandanavia (Svensk).

In Super, Frank’s (Rainn Wilson) wife leaves him for a seductive, psychopathic drug dealer (Kevin Bacon), Frank is transformed and the Crimson Bolt is born. With a hand-made suit, a wrench, and a crazed sidekick named Boltie (Ellen Page), the Crimson Bolt beats his way through the mean streets of crime in hopes of saving his wife (Liv Tyler). The rules were written a long time ago: You are not supposed to molest children, cut lines or key cars; if you do, prepare to face the wrath of the Crimson Bolt!

Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Entertainment said, “James Gunn has made one of the most creative and subversive films of the year with an outstanding cast including Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler and Kevin Bacon. This is exactly the kind of film we want the IFC Midnight brand to be associated with.”

“I never had to compromise in the making of this movie and I couldn’t be more excited to have found a distribution partner wanting to embrace the extremities and balls-to-the-walls qualities of SUPER” said James Gunn.

“SUPER is special because it has lots of unique qualities that make it an indie film and we are thrilled IFC Films is releasing it because they are independent cinema and totally get the spirit of the film and what it’s about” said producers Miranda Bailey and Ted Hope.

The deal for Super was negotiated by Arianna Bocco and Betsy Rodgers at IFC Films and by Graham Taylor at WME Global and Rich Klubeck at UTA on behalf of the filmmakers.