Buyers Circling Tom Hanks Comedy ‘A Man Called Otto’ On Eve Of Virtual EFM

deadline.com:

EXCLUSIVE: On the eve of the virtual EFM buyers are circling rights to Tom Hanks comedy A Man Called Otto, which is among the most sought-after packages in the market.We understand there are multiple big offers for the project from streamers, studios and indie distributors, including an eight-figure offer that would mark a record domestic buy at the EFM.While some buyers we’ve spoken to have griped about a scarcity of must-have packages at this year’s virtual event, Otto is among those that has their attention given Hanks’ involvement, the strong creative elements and the acclaimed original source material.

We hear the budget is in the $50M range.Hanks recorded a video message that was sent to buyers this week as deal-making was set to get underway.The project is due to begin this month on location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

STX International is handling international sales and CAA Media Finance is repping domestic alongside Lichter Grossman Nichols Adler Feldman & Clark.Joining Oscar winner Hanks in the comedy adaptation of the Scandinavian hit A Man Called Ove are Mariana Treviño (Overboard), Rachel Keller (Legion) and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (6 Underground).As we revealed earlier this month, Marc Forster will direct the SF Studios movie, which is adapted from the Fredrik Backman novel and original Oscar-nominated Swedish movie of 2017 written and directed by Hannes Holm.

The titular character has been renamed to reflect the U.S. setting.The film will follow Otto (Hanks), a grumpy isolated widower with staunch principles, strict routines and a short fuse, who gives everyone in his neighborhood a hard time as he watches over it like a hawk.