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Magnolia gets 'Bigger, Stronger'

Bell's bodybuilding doc to bow later this year

By WINTER MILLER

Magnolia Pictures has picked up Christopher Bell's Sundance docu 'Bigger, Stronger, Faster*,' about sports heroes and steroids.

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Magnolia Pictures has nabbed world rights to tyro Christopher Bell's Sundance docu "Bigger, Stronger, Faster*" about sports heroes and steroids.

Bell draws on the experience of his own and his two brothers' obsession with three bodybuilder stars of the '80s: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and grappler Hulk Hogan.

Helmer also explores his siblings' use of the growth hormone alongside interviews with athletes Barry Bonds, Floyd Landis, Carl Lewis and Ben Johnson. Magnolia plans to release muscle docu later this year theatrically to be followed by play on HDNet. Magnolia and HDNet are part of Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban's Wagner/Cuban Companies, which also include Landmark Theaters chain and 2929 Productions.

"Bigger" was produced by Alex Buono, Tamsin Rawady and Jim Czarnecki. Deal was negotiated by Magnolia's Tom Quinn, Dori Begley and Jason Janego with Cinetic Media representing the filmmakers.