ARC Entertainment and XLrator Media Snag “Killing Bono”

“Killing Bono,” Nick Hamm’s film adaptation of Neil McCormick’s memoir of his school days with young members of U2, has been snagged for North American distribution by ARC Entertainment and XLrator Media.

“I’m excited to be working with such an innovative and forward-thinking distribution partnership as ARC/XLrator,” said Hamm. “Their passion and creativity will enable US audiences to discover and experience this film.”

Full press release reprinted below:

ARC Entertainment and XLrator Media have joined forces to acquire all North American distribution rights to the acclaimed rock & roll comedy KILLING BONO after its North American premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival. The film is directed by BAFTA award-winning director Nick Hamm (The Hole) and stars Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), Robert Sheehan (Cherrybomb), Krysten Ritter (Confessions of a Shopaholic), Martin McCann (HBO’s “The Pacific”) and features the final film performance of Academy-Award nominated actor Pete Postlethwaite (The Town, Inception) who passed away on January 2, 2011.

KILLING BONO was written by Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais (The Commitments) and Simon Maxwell. The film was produced by Hamm, Ian Flooks, Mark Huffam, Piers Tempest and co-produced by Isibeal Ballance. The deal was announced today by ARC Entertainment CEO Trevor Drinkwater and XLrator Media head Barry Gordon. The two privately-owned companies have previously partnered on Ironclad, John Carpenter’s The Ward, the upcoming martial arts action film Bunraku and the Sundance documentary Knuckle. The deal was negotiated by Gordon and Samantha Horley from SALT Company International and Alexis Garcia from WME Global, representing the filmmakers.

“One of the freshest and funniest rock & roll movies in a long time, KILLING BONO is going to thrill not only the millions of U2 fans and music lovers but everybody who has ever felt like an underdog,“ said Gordon.

“I’m excited to be working with such an innovative and forward-thinking distribution partnership as ARC/XLrator,” said Hamm. “Their passion and creativity will enable US audiences to discover and experience this film.”

Based on real events, KILLING BONO tells the story of young Irish rocker Neil McCormick and his younger brother, Ivan, who attempt to become rock stars but can only look on as their school friends form U2 and become the biggest band in the world. The film is based on Neil McCormick’s memoir Killing Bono: I am Bono’s Doppelganger.

KILLING BONO will be released on VOD in October 2011 and in theaters in November 2011. The movie’s soundtrack is available from Sony Music Entertainment. For more information on the film, visit the official Killing Bono blog at www.killingbonoblog.com.