StudioCanal nabs 'Moonrise,' 'Pines'

Exclusive: LONDON -- European heavyweight StudioCanal has snapped up French distribution rights to Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom" and Derek Cianfrance's "Place Beyond the Pines."The Vivendi-owned outfit also has U.K. rights to "Place Beyond the Pines," which is set to be distributed via its Brit arm Optimum Releasing.Moonrise Kingdom," which toplines Ed Norton, Bruce Willis, Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton, is in post, and is being released domestically by Focus Features. Scott Rudin, Jeremy Dawson and Steven M. Rales produce. Focus Features Intl. is handling international sales for the pic, which it shopped to buyers in Cannes in May. Story, penned by Anderson and Roman Coppola, is set in 1960s New England, and follows the tale of two young lovers who run away together, turning the town upside down in the process. "2Place Beyond the Pines," toplining Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Rose Byrne and Eva Mendes, is lensing and sees a motorcycle stunt rider consider committing a crime in order to provide for his family. Cianfrance, who helmed last year's "Blue Valentine," penned the script with Ben Coccio and Darius Marder. Lynette Howell and Sidney Kimmel produce with Alex Orlovsky and Jamie Patricof. Sierra/Affinity is handling international sales, and also launched the pic to buyers in Cannes.The acquisitions of these two big titles, both hot tickets on the Croisette this year, further cement StudioCanal's value as one of the world's independent powerhouses. In addition to fully financing pics such as "The Last Exorcism" and "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," a Working Title production set to preem in Venice next month, the company's healthy financial structure enable it to snap up premium titles. On Sept. 1, the company is rebranding its Brit and German subsidiaries Optimum Releasing and Kinowelt with its own moniker. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com