Lionsgate Buys Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lily James, Himesh Patel Crime Comedy ‘Greedy People’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Lionsgate has acquired domestic rights to the Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lily James and Himesh Patel comedy “Greedy People.”

The film explores what happens when the eccentric residents of a small, picturesque island town are faced with a sensational murder and the discovery of $1 million next to the body. This sparks a series of increasingly bad decisions that do a number on the peace and tranquility of the community.

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“’Greedy People’ is a hugely entertaining crime thriller in every way,” said Allison Lynch, Lionsgate’s director of acquisitions and co-productions. “Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lily James, and Himesh Patel lead an incredible cast through twists and turns that range from the hilarious to the horrific – and the movie always keeps you guessing.”

The film’s starry ensemble also features Uzo Aduba (“Orange is the New Black”), Tim Blake Nelson (“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”), Jim Gaffigan (“Chappaquiddick”) and Simon Rex (“Red Rocket”).

Gordon-Levitt’s credits include “Flora and Son,” “Inception” and “The Dark Knight Rises.” He next appears in “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” James starred in “Darkest Hour,” “Baby Driver” and “Downton Abbey.” Her portrayal of Pamela Anderson in “Pam & Tommy” earned her an Emmy nomination. Patel starred in “Yesterday.” He also appeared in “Don’t Look Up” and “Tenet,” and he earned an Emmy nomination for “Station Eleven.”

“Greedy People” is produced by Zack Schiller (“Escape Plan”), Dylan Sellers (“Palm Springs”), Shannon Houchins (“Old Henry”), Chris Parker (“Palm Springs”) and David Boies (“Midnight Sun”), and directed by Potsy Ponciroli from a script by Mike Vukadinovich (“Kidding”). It was fully funded by Boies/Schiller Entertainment and Limelight.

Ponciroli is best known for directing “Old Henry,” a revisionist Western that starred Blake Nelson as a farmer with a secret.

Mister Smith Entertainment sold “Greedy People” internationally. It’s already lined up deals with Splendid (Germany/ Switzerland), The Film Group (Greece/Cyprus), Front Row Entertainment (Middle East), Twelve Oaks Pictures (Spain), Lionsgate India (India & Philippines), Long Shong Times Group (Taiwan), Paradise/MGN (Baltic States, CIS, Ukraine), Blitz (Ex-Yugo), and Cinesky (Airlines). Other international territories now selling at the Berlin Film Festival.

Verve Ventures handled the sale of the North American rights.

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