“Twinless,” a twisted comedic drama about twinless twins, is in final negotiations to sell to Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate and Sony Pictures. The film earned rave reviews after debuting at this year’s Sundance and won the festival’s audience award.
Dylan O’Brien, of “Maze Runner” and “Teen Wolf” fame, stars in “Twinless” with James Sweeney, who also wrote, directed and produced the film. O’Brien plays identical brothers, one of whom meets Sweeney’s character in a support group for people who lost a twin. Aisling Franciosi, Lauren Graham, Tasha Smith, Chris Perfetti, François Arnaud, Susan Park and Cree Cicchino round out the cast.
If the deal closes, “Twinless” is expected to be released theatrically later this summer in the U.S. by Roadside Attractions, while Sony Pictures will distribute internationally.
Republic Pictures, a newly relaunched acquisition label under Paramount, brought “Twinless” to Sundance and handled the sale. Other recent titles include Munich hostage thriller “September 5,” music documentary “The Greatest Night in Pop” and Jake Johnson’s directorial debut “Self-Reliance.”
Prior to the premiere, O’Brien talked to Variety about the challenge of playing dual parts. He embodies identical twin brothers Rocky, who unexpectedly dies, and Roman, who is left to navigate the unbearable grief without his other half.
“The twins were so distinct on the page. I felt such a different connectivity to each of them. That came really naturally,” O’Brien said. “For me, it’s very physical. Once the process kicks into full gear with costumes, hair and makeup and the things that James and I discussed in terms of walk, talk and posture, that helps me.”
Critics have praised “Twinless,” with Variety’s Peter Debruge calling the film “disarmingly funny.” In his review, he wrote that “it’s a tonal tightwire act, to say the least, as Sweeney balances unconscionable behavior with an earnest look at bereavement, anxiety and anger management.”
Overall, this year’s market was relatively glacial with just a few movies — “Perfect Neighbor,” “Train Dreams” and “Sorry Baby” among them — scoring distribution out of Park City. Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions also nabbed domestic rights for “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” a musical remake from director Bill Condon and star Jennifer Lopez, after Sundance.
