Millennium Entertainment has acquired the U.S. right to the upcoming LAPD cop thriller ‘Rampart’ for $2 million, plus performance bonuses, Variety is reporting. The studio picked up the rights to the film, which was directed by Oren Moverman, after it had it’s world premiere on September 10 at the Toronto International Film Festival.
‘Rampart,’ which was written by Moverman and James Ellroy, follows Woody Harrelson’s character, a Vietnam vet and Rampart Precinct cop. After being filmed beating a suspect, he finds himself in a personal and emotional downward spiral. His fate is sealed as the consequences of his past sins start to arise, and he refuses to change his ways, despite a department-wide corruption scandal.
Millenium is hoping to release ‘Rampart’ theatrically this year, reportedly in time for the film and Harrelson to be considered during awards season. The movie is reunion for Moverman and the actor, who worked together on Moverman’s directorial debut ‘The Messenger.’ Harrelson garnered a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination for his role of Staff Sgt. Will Montgomery in the war drama. ‘The Messenger’ also garnered a Best Original Screenplay nomination for Moverman.
The international rights to ‘Rampart,’ which was produced by Lawrence Inglee, Ben Foster, Clark Peterson and Ken Kao, have been sold in a majority of territories around the world. The thriller also stars Foster, Robin Wright, Sigourney Weaver, Steve Buscemi, Anne Heche, Cynthia Nixon and Ice Cube.
Written by: Karen Benardello
