'Buck' stops at Magnolia

May 29, 2008 Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to the John Malkovich starrer "The Great Buck Howard" from Bristol Bay Prods. and Playtone Pictures for a low-seven figures. Colin Hanks plays a disillusioned law student who becomes the performer's road manager against the wishes of his father, portrayed -- appropriately enough -- by Tom Hanks. Magnolia president Eamonn Bowles said execs still were mulling whether to bow "Buck" in limited or wide release and also whether to unspool the film on other platforms simultaneously with its theatrical debut, an occasional Magnolia strategy.

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