Paramount tracks down 'Sleuth'

Law stars in Branagh film

By ARCHIE THOMAS

Law

LONDON — Paramount Pictures Intl. has acquired U.K., Australia, New Zealand and South Africa distribution rights to Jude Law starrer "Sleuth," helmed by Kenneth Branagh.

Pic stars Law as an out-of-work actor who becomes embroiled in a tense game of cat and mouse with Michael Caine's wealthy thriller writer character.

The movie, which recently finished filming at London's Twickenham Studios, is an updated version of Anthony Shaffer's play from a new script by Harold Pinter -- his first screenplay in a decade.

Law produces alongside Branagh, Simon Halfon, Simon Moseley and Marion Pilowsky. Ben Jackson, Law's producing partner in Riff Raff Prods., gets a co-production credit.

Sony Pictures Classics snapped up North American and Latin American rights to the film in January.

Joseph Mankiewicz's 1972 bigscreen adaptation of the original Shaffer play, which starred Caine and Laurence Olivier, earned four Oscar nominations.