Mumbai: Empire Film Group has entered into an agreement with The Colla Company for the North American distribution rights to the Steven J. Silverman comedy Wishing Well, slated for production this summer and fall. The romantic comedy has been described as a cross between My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Heaven Can Wait in its blending of supernatural elements with pre-wedding jitters, and is expected to attract a major cast.

 

"This is a terrific screenplay that should make for an extremely commercial movie," said Empire Home Entertainment CEO Eric Parkinson. "The story has broad audience appeal, the characters are very likable and the situation is comedic and fresh. Wishing Well has the potential to be a true breakout release."

 

Wishing Well was written by Steven J. Silverman and developed for production by Denise Colla and partner Richard Colla, whose 40 year career as both producer and director spans dozens of film and television classics such as Battlestar Galactica, CHiPs, Miami Vice, Murder She Wrote, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Denise and Richard Colla will produce Wishing Well, and are considering several high-profile candidates as director.

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Wishing Well will be supported with a major theatrical release in the United States from Empire Film Group, with The Colla Company coordinating the financing and production of the movie. The production of the film is budgeted at $8 million and is expected to be shot in New Mexico.

 

"The addition of Wishing Well to Empire’s theatrical line-up for 2008 and 2009, elevates Empire to the top tier of all independent studios in terms of total number of high-profile, theatrical films," said Empire CEO Dean Hamilton-Bornstein. "We think that Wishing Well has all the right elements to connect with audiences and deliver great results for all parties."