"Paramount Pictures and MTV Films acquired the John Singleton-produced "Hustle & Flow" for $9 million plus a two-picture commitment. The deal, which includes two future Singleton productions at $3.5 million each, carried a price tag of $16 million. It marked the biggest deal ever closed at Sundance..." (full details)

"Warner Independent Pictures has picked up U.S. and U.K. rights to the documentary "The Emperor's Journey" in a partnership with National Geographic Feature Films for $1 million. WIP and National Geographic plan to use American actors to put an English narration on the French-language documentary about the life cycles of penguins..." (full details)

"Miramax films is in final negotiations to pick up distribution rights to the Pierce Brosnan hitman pic "The Matador" from CAA. Deal was expected to close late Sunday night. Miramax would take multiple territories on the pic for roughly $7.5 million. Brosnan stars as a lonely hitman who befriends a traveling salesman (Greg Kinnear) in Mexico City..." (full details)

"Miramax Films has pacted with IFC Films to co-distribute "Les Choristes," France's official Oscar entry for best foreign film. Pic opens nationally Friday.Under the arrangement, Miramax will handle domestic theatrical duties while IFC takes domestic free TV rights for its cable net. IFC also gets non-exclusive video-on-demand as part of the deal..." (full details)

"USA Network made the first Sundance buy in its history, snapping up domestic rights to the domestic competition doc "Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story," directed by Dan Klores and Ron Berger. The film premiered Saturday in the documentary competition. It's the tragic tale of Griffith, a six-time world champion boxer -- and closeted gay -- who killed Benny "Kid" Paret in the ring after his opponent taunted him with homosexual slurs..." (full details)

Thanks to 'WL'