Softley inks 'Hackers' pact with UA
Softley signed for an estimated $ 1 million with a back-end deal and participation in the soundtrack album of the computer-generation pic, sources said Friday.
"We think he's extraordinary," UA prexy John Calley said. "We were dazzled by his picture."
Softley is sizzling after Friday's opening of his feature helming debut, "Backbeat," a pic that explores the relationship between John Lennon and the fifth Beatle, Stu Sutcliffe. On a slow B.O. weekend, the pic grossed a decent $ 130,000 on 10 screens.
UA production veep Jeff Kleeman said he and Calley saw a morning screening of the pic in March and were so impressed they immediately offered "Hackers" to the 37-year-old helmer.
"It couldn't have been a worse circumstance to see a movie, but we came out dancing in the hallways," Kleeman said. "We basically said if this guy wants to work with us, boy do we want to work with him."
UA is producing the pic with Spelling Films Intl. for about $ 15 million. Michael Peyser will produce with Janet Graham as a co-producer from a screenplay by first-timer Rafael Moreu.
The deal for "Hackers" was negotiated by ICM agents Jeff Berg, Joe Rosenberg and Robert Newman, attorney Nigel Sinclair and British agent Jenne Casarotto for Softley. Chris Maxwell, UA's exec veep of biz affairs, repped the studio.
Computer espionage
"Hackers" chronicles a group of teenage computer wizards whose practical jokes land them in a dangerous industrial-espionage plot. Softley said the fast-paced pic could define the 1990s videogame/computer generation sensibility for millions of kids who turn to computers for escape.
"What appealed to me about the script is that it seemed to work on a number of levels," Softley said. "It's about computer hacking and really kind of explores this electronic world, this electronic network, in a way that perhaps previous generations did with rock 'n' roll. They escape into it."
UA corralled the director despite serious offers for his services from Disney , Fox and Warner Bros.
The timing was perfect for the resuscitated studio with Softley on the brink of a breakthrough career after years of making documentaries and musicvideos for such acts as the Style Council, Status Quo and Elaine Paige.
'Backbeat' bucks
But Calley and company may regret not signing the helmer to a multiyear production deal sooner. His price may shoot up if "Backbeat" is a success.
Softley reportedly met Friday with Calley and other top execstrying to close the multiyear production deal.
Sources said the potential pact is unique in allowing Softley to be based in London rather than L.A. No figures were disclosed.
The director expressed fear at tying himself to a single studio but added that Calley's presence made UA a studio worth joining.
"There is a sort of wariness about entering that kind of deal," he said. "If things work out, it (UA) can be a great place to be, particularly with a guy with whom I would be happy to be in a long film relationship."
