Miramax acquires rights to 'Wheel'
Mini-major to distrib Pearl Street pic in U.K., Down Under

Sep. 28, 1999 - By Oliver Jones

Miramax has announced the acquisition of U.K., Australian and New Zealand rights to "The Third Wheel" from foreign sales company Tomorrow Films.
Pic, currently in post production, is the maiden effort from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Pearl Street Prods. shingle. Miramax already had announced U.S. rights (Daily Variety, June 30).

The second directing effort from Jordan Brady ("Dill Scallion"), pic concerns a pair of doomed lovers played by Luke Wilson and Denise Richards, who are thwarted in their efforts to enjoy an evening together by a third wheel (Jay Lacopo). Affleck also stars.

"I am proud to continue our successful relationship with Matt and Ben on another great project," said Miramax co-topper Harvey Weinstein.
Pic is produced by Chris Moore ("American Pie," "Reindeer Games") of Fusion Studios and HSI entertainment's Adam Rosenfelt, Chad Snopek and Stavros Merjos.

Yoram Pelman of Tomorrow Films serves as exec producer, along with Damon and Affleck.

The deal was negotiated on behalf of Miramax by production co-prexy Bob Osher; Steven Hutensky, senior veep, business and legal; Andrew Herwitz, senior veep, acquisitions and business affairs; and Eric Roth, veepee buisiness and legal. Pelman and VP legal and business Lonnie Ramati negotiated on behalf of Tomorrow Films.