Hallmark goes for Splendid's Dean biopic

The continued pulling power of James Dean is evidenced by a raft of pay-TV deals for the eponymous telemovie taken out by Splendid Television.

James Dean, produced for TNT by Gerber Pictures and Marvin Worth Productions in association with Splendid Television, has just been picked up by Hallmark Channel in a multi-territory deal.

Hallmark has taken the pay-TV rights to the movie about the Rebel Without a Cause classic in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East.

The UK's Carlton Cinema has also plumped for the biopic, which it will screen in conjunction with a full retrospective on James Dean's work.

These two sales follow earlier deals with Showtime Encore (Australia), HBO (Asia) Warner-Nu Metro (South Africa) and Audio Visual (Greece).

In addition, Canal+ picked up the rights in Benelux, Poland, Scandinavia and France, as well as Planeta 2010 for Spain and Portugal.

{It has been Splendid Television's goal to produce top class event mini-series and television movies and I believe we have accomplished this directive with James Dean,{ said Doug Schwalbe, the company's ceo.

He added: {It is a tremendous testament to the quality of this MoW that it has sold to all major pay channels worldwide prior to its airing on TNT.{

Set against the golden backdrop of 1950s Hollywood, James Dean explores the devastation and insecurities that fuelled the actor's life.

Dean is portrayed by up-coming star James Franco, who is set to play opposite Robert De Niro in the upcoming City By The Sea. He also stars in the forthcoming Hollywood blockbuster, Spider Man, starring Tobey Maguire, scheduled for theatrical release in 2002.

The TVM, to which Five Mile River Films holds Italian and German distribution rights, is directed by Mark Rydell (On Golden Pond). The screenplay is by award-winning playwright and screenwriter Israel Horovitz (Sunshine).