Warner options Argentine 'Boyfriend'

Studio eyes U.S. remake for hit comedy

By CHARLES NEWBERY, JOHN HOPEWELL

BUENOS AIRES -- Warner Bros. Pictures has optioned the U.S. remake rights for "A Boyfriend for my Wife," the hottest comedy out of Argentina last year.

Deal was negotiated by Alejandro Cacetta of Disney-backed Patagonik Film Group, which produced the film, and Guido Rud of FilmSharks International, a leading sales agent based in Buenos Aires.

"Boyfriend" is about a husband who tries to get his wife to fall in love with another man so he can leave her. It stars Adrian Suar of crowdpleasers like "Comodines" (Cops) and "Apariencias" (Appearances) and Valeria Bertuccelli ("XXY").

Juan Taratuto directed "Boyfriend," his third hit comedy following "Quien dice que es facil" (Who Says It's Easy) and "No sos vos, soy yo" (It's Not You, It's Me). Script was penned by Pablo Solarz ("Intimate Stories").

"Boyfriend" was the second hottest film in Argentina last year, with 1.5 million ticket sales, putting it right behind "Kung Fu Panda" at 1.55 million admissions and ahead of "The Dark Knight," "Wall-E" and "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa."

FilmSharks has handled sales of "Boyfriend" to more than 17 territories.