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Sony Pictures Classics Picks Up Maude Apatow’s Poetic License

The acquisition secures a worldwide theatrical rollout in 2027 and rescues the TIFF‑acclaimed debut from distribution limbo caused by Row K’s collapse.

Overview

  • The deal was negotiated by WME Independent and announced on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, after WME reclaimed the title when Row K failed to fulfill its distributor duties.
  • Sony Pictures Classics acquired worldwide rights and plans a theatrical release in 2027, positioning the film for arthouse audiences and awards‑season visibility.
  • Row K Entertainment bought the film out of TIFF but showed signs of financial trouble and lost top executives less than a year into operation, which forced WME to re‑market the title.
  • Poetic License premiered to strong reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival and stars Leslie Mann, Cooper Hoffman and Andrew Barth Feldman, with a screenplay by Raffi Donatich and production support from Judd Apatow.
  • The pickup highlights how sales agents can restore festival hits to the market and raises questions about the stability of new indie distributors and the fate of other films Row K had acquired.