Sony Pictures Classics has acquired world rights to “Wishful Thinking,” written and directed by Graham Parks. Starring Lewis Pullman and Maya Hawke, who also served as producers. The film had its world premiere at SXSW, where it won the award for Best Narrative Feature.
The story follows Julia, an aspiring game designer, and Charlie, a struggling musician, who are at a loss as to how to repair their rocky relationship. After attending a couples therapy seminar hosted by a mysterious twin healer, they discover that the ups and downs of their relationship have a supernatural impact on the world around them. With earthquakes, the stock market, and the entire country at risk, Charlie and Julia must face whether their passionate love can survive the chaos.
The cast also includes Amita Rao, Randall Park, Eric Rahill, Jake Shane, Kate Berlant, and Kelly Kenny-Silver. Wishful Thinking is produced by Buckwild Pictures’ Pullman, Highway 10’s Dan Gedman and Matt Smith, who also fully financed the film, and Pinky Promise’s Carla Durrett, and executive produced by Alyssa Lorenbeck, Sarah Mather, Jessamyn Burgum, Cameron Fuller, and Graham Patrick Martin.
“Audiences have been craving romantic, unpredictable and genuinely funny films like ‘Wishful Thinking,’ and we can’t wait for them to experience Maya and Lewis in this deeply human, refreshingly hilarious lead role,” Sony Pictures Classics said in a statement. “Graham Parks has created a film for a new generation of film fans with a romantic comedy meant to be shared in theaters. This marks a new collaboration that we are proud to continue with Pinky Promise and our new friends on Highway 10.”
“Sony Pictures Classics has been the singular champion of independent film for nearly 35 years, releasing some of my favorite films of all time,” Parks said. “So to be included among the first films they brought to audiences is truly the ultimate recognition of the passionate work our cast and crew put into making Wishful Thinking.”
The deal was negotiated between Sony Pictures Classics and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.
