Sundance deals are still being drafted, negotiated and signed a little over a week past the wrap up date, but in the case of Rupert Wyatt‘s The Escapist — Sundance is a very distant memory. IndieWIRE reports that IFC Films have come to the rescue – picking up the picture for an early April release. Originally, Thinkfilm had picked up the rights to the pic – but the indie unit is currently in repair mode and perhaps found a way to get out of their original deal.
The film is the story of Frank Perry (Brian Cox), a “lifer” in prison for the rest of his natural born days. He’s never had a problem with that: he did the crime – he’ll do that time. He receives a letter telling him that his only and much loved daughter is critically ill following an overdose. He knows that he must see her and to do that he’ll have to escape. But he can’t do it alone. A motley crew of younger associates is assembles to enact his plan: Lenny Drake (Joseph Fiennes), Brodie (Liam Cunningham), and Viv Baptista (Seu Jorge). As they prepare to break out, Frank’s focus is distracted by the arrival of a young con James Lacey (Dominic Cooper) – a reminder of days long lost. As the new kid on the block Lacey also attracts the sadistic attention of Tony (Steven Macintosh), the drug-addict brother of wing-king Rizza (Damian Lewis). Personality conflicts put the escape in jeopardy and Frank is forced to find the energy and courage of the man he once was.
