River Road to finance 'Runaways'

Floria Sigismondi to write, direct rock biopic

By TATIANA SIEGEL

River Road Entertainment has stepped in to finance "The Runaways," the rock 'n' roll biopic about the '70s all-female rock band featuring Joan Jett, Cherie Curie and the late Sandy West.

Film will be written and directed by Floria Sigismondi, best known for helming musicvids for David Bowie, the White Stripes and Marilyn Manson. Art and John Linson are producing alongside Bill Pohlad. Jett will exec produce the film (Daily Variety, April 17, 2007).

"The Runaways" is casting and is slated to go into production in late fall.

"It's great to be in business with River Road again," said Art Linson. "Bill and his team were fantastic partners on 'Into the Wild,' and we were looking for an opportunity to work with them again."

Film follows the rock band from its early days on the Sunset Strip through the girls' meteoric rise to their dissolution and disillusionment.

River Road's credits include "Brokeback Mountain," "Lust, Caution" and "Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus." The indie production and finance company is in production on the Terrence Malick-helmed drama "The Tree of Life," starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn.