MUMBAI: Image Entertainment, Inc. has acquired all US rights to the film 44 Inch Chest and will be releasing the film theatrically at the beginning of 2010.

The film stars Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, Tom Wilkinson, John Hurt and Stephen Dillane. Written by Louis Mellis and David Scinto, the film is directed by Emmy-nominated Malcolm Venville. 44 Inch Chest is produced by Steve Golin and Richard Brown.

The deal was negotiated by Image Entertainment vice president acquisitions, feature films J. Beck with IM Global CEO Stuart Ford. Image Entertainment has acquired all US rights to the film including theatrical, broadcast, home entertainment, digital, non-theatrical and video-on-demand.

"The cast of this film is nothing short of first-rate. The tour-de-force performances, along with the darkly comic storyline, make Malcolm Venville’s 44 Inch Chest a nail biting experience that harkens back to Reservoir Dogs," said Image Entertainment senior vice president, theatrical Garrett M. Lee.