Sony Pictures Classics Grabs North American Rights to Woody Allen's 'Nero Fiddled'

4:42 PM PST 12/21/2011 by Jay A. Fernandez

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Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all North American and U.K. rights to Woody Allens next film, Nero Fiddled. This is the filmmaker's fifth film to be released by SPC, following on Allen's biggest success to date,Midnight in Paris.

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Alec Baldwin, Roberto Benigni, Penelope Cruz, Jesse Eisenberg, Greta Gerwig and Ellen Page star in the Rome-set story.Letty Aronson, Steve Tenenbaum, Giampaulo Letta and Faruk Alatan produced the project, a Medusa film and Gravier production.

"More laughs in this one than you can imagine," said SPC co-presidentsTom BernardandMichael Barker. "We know it's a bit premature, but thank you Woody and company for granting us the perfect summer comedy of 2012. Keep 'em coming."

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SPC previously released Allen's You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, Whatever Works and Sweet and Lowdown. Paris has grossed more than $56 million since its release in May.

The indie company has most recently released A Dangerous Method, Take Shelter, Carnage and The Skin I Live In.