A 'Bright Star' in future of Berney's new venture? (THR)

By Nancy Tartaglione

What does Bob Berney have up his sleeve? That's a question that Hollywood has been pondering for months. Today's Hollywood Reporter says some details of the former Picturehouse chief's new venture have now emerged.

Berney's new distribution outfit, likely to be unveiled next month in Cannes, is said to be gearing up to release fewer films than the executive has in the past but with more independence. William Pohlad's River Road Entertainment is the lead candidate to finance the new company, says the trade.

Since Warner Bros. last fall closed down the Picturehouse unit, Berney has closely guarded details of his plans. Known for breaking out such tricky fare as "Memento" and "The Passion of the Christ," Berney, says THR, is now likely to go for bigger commercial pics rather than the niche fare he made his name with.

Berney's first pickup will likely be Jane Campion's "Bright Star," with Abbie Cornish, Paul Schneider, Ben Whishaw and Kerry Fox. The film, a Cannes candidate being handled by Pathe International, is Campion's first in six years. THR says that Berney has apparently made a gentleman's agreement to buy the picture, although it is currently listed as being without US distribution.

Berney is expected to also include an element of digital distribution in the new venture.

During March's SXSW fest, Berney said, "I definitely feel like my heart is in independent distribution," adding that the new venture will be "very different than Picturehouse." Concluding the thought, Berney said, "Hopefully in a few months we will be back," indieWire reported at the time.