"Push: Based on a Novel by Sapphire" has bowed out of its planned closing-night berth at the News Directors/New Films fest in Gotham.
Lincoln Center's tony fest, which highlights emerging talent culled from Sundance, Toronto and elsewhere, unspools March 25 to April 5. "Push," the major prizewinner in Sundance, was acquired by Lionsgate, which secured marketing support from Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry. It now plans a fall release for the film.
The Weinstein Co. sued Lionsgate shortly after Sundance, claiming it had made an offer to buy the film that was accepted by sales agent Cinetic. Lionsgate counter-sued and the matter remains in court.
Reps for Lionsgate and Weinstein said the legal tangle is completely separate from the decision to drop out of the fest.
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com