Sony buys Woody Allen's 'Works'

Comedy stars Larry David, Patricia Clarkson

By DADE HAYES

Woody Allen returns to a Manhattan setting for 'Whatever Works,' starring Evan Rachel Wood and Patricia Clarkson.

NEW YORK -- Sony Pictures Classics has bought U.S. rights to Woody Allen's next film, "Whatever Works."

The Gotham-set comedy will be released in the summer. "Whatever" stars Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Begley Jr. and Patricia Clarkson.

Allen wrote and directed the film, which is produced by Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum.

"It was great to be back in Manhattan shooting a comedy," Allen said. "Especially with such a gifted cast."

Allen returned to native soil after last year's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," which capped a run of four pics set and shot in Europe.

SPC's last Allen title was 1999's "Sweet and Lowdown."