‘Prisoners' director Denis Villeneuve, Alcon sign two-year overall deal

Todd Cunningham
Canadian director and Oscar nominee for best foreign language film, Denis Villeneuve, arrives at Sony Picture Classics Oscar nominees dinner in West Hollywood, California February 26, 2011. REUTERS/Gus Ruelas

By Todd Cunningham LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Denis Villeneuve has closed a two-year overall deal to write and direct for Alcon Entertainment, the company's co-founders and chief executives Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson said Wednesday. Villeneuve directed Alcon's upcoming film "Prisoners" as well as the Oscar-nominated "Incendies." "Our experience with Denis has been one of the most creative and satisfying of our careers" Johnson and Kosove said in a statement. "He's truly one of the most insightful, artistic filmmakers working today. We believe he's directed a tremendous film with ‘Prisoners' and are excited to partner with him on more projects going forward." "Prisoners," Villeneuve's most recent feature, was financed and produced by Alcon and stars Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo and Paul Dano. It's produced by Johnson, Kosove, Kira Davis and Adam Kolbrenner and will debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday. Warner Bros will release it wide in the U.S. and Canada on September 20 Summit Entertainment is handling international distribution.