Nicolas Cage’s Political Drama ‘The Runner’ Bought by Alchemy

Alchemy has acquired all North American rights to political drama “The Runner,” starring Nicolas Cage, for release later this year.

“The Runner,” written and directed by Austin Stark, co-stars Sarah Paulson, Connie Nielsen, Wendell Pierce, Bryan Batt and Peter Fonda. Cage stars as an idealistic but flawed politician forced to confront his dysfunctional life after his career is destroyed in a sex scandal in the aftermath of 2010’s British Petroleum oil spill.

Producers are Bingo Gubelmann, Benji Kohn, Glenn Williamson, Erika Hampson, and Chris Papavasiliou. Exec producers are Noah Millman, Ruth Mutch, Sam Bisbee, Tom Conigliaro, Galt Niederhoffer and Todd Cohen.

Stark is a partner at Paper Street Films (“Infinitely Polar Bear”). “The Runner” marks Stark’s writing and directorial debut.

Cage is currently filming Larry Charles’ “Army of One.” He’s represented by CAA, Mike Nilon at KLWGN, and Jake Bloom and Patrick Knapp at Bloom Hergott.

Alchemy’s Jeff Deutchman negotiated the deal with WME Global and Alan Sacks of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz on behalf of the filmmakers.

Related stories

Xavier Samuel's Modern-day 'Frankenstein' Bought for U.S. by Alchemy

Alchemy Teams With Swirl Group for Urban Movies

Milla Jovovich Thriller 'Survivor' Acquired by Alchemy for US Distribution

Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter