Pierce Brosnan drama `The Greatest` has a distributor - in cinemas come March

"The Greatest," Shana Feste´s award-winning drama starring Pierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon, and Carey Mulligan, will be released theatrically by Paladin, it was announced by company President and CEO Mark Urman. A late March initial release, followed by an early April expansion, is planned. National Entertainment Media will handle all post-theatrical rights - reports DVD Town.

Written and directed by Feste in her feature directorial debut, "The Greatest" tells the story of Allen and Grace Brewer, a grief-stricken couple whose family has been pushed to the breaking point by the death of their older son, Bennett, in a car crash. When a young woman, Rose, shows up a few months later announcing that she is pregnant with Bennett´s child, the Brewers are forced to take her in. At first, Rose´s presence threatens to tear the family even further apart but, eventually, her interaction with each of the Brewers proves to be the very thing that brings them back together.It was almost a role that Brosnan reportedly turned down, because the circumstances of the son's car crash was too similar to his own son's.

"The Greatest," which Brosnan also produced with longtime partner Beau St. Clair and Lynette Howell, finds the actor at a particularly exciting time in his career. Not only does he have "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" and "Remember Me" due for release this winter, but his recently-completed film, Roman Polanski´s "The Ghost Writer" will premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in February and open domestically in theaters this spring.

Oscar-winner Sarandon, who today announced her break-up with longtime partner Tim Robbins, is currently starring in Peter Jackson´s "The Lovely Bones," based on Alice Sebold´s beloved best-seller, and recently wrapped production on "Wall Street 2", which also stars her "Greatest" co-star, Carey Mulligan. Mulligan´s lead performance in the acclaimed hit, "An Education," has been one of the most rapturously received debuts of the last decade. Already named "Best Actress" by the National Board of Review, among other groups, she is widely considered one of the most promising of the 2009 Oscar hopefuls and was recently nominated for both a Golden Globe and SAG award for "Best Actress."

About "The Greatest," Urman says, "I fell in love with this film when I first saw it, and I am extremely proud that this esteemed creative team has entrusted it to me and Paladin. The film has an amazing cast, each of them at a brilliant moment in their respective careers, and from a distributor´s point of view, it is an embarrassment of riches."

Rounding out the cast of "The Greatest" are rising star Aaron Johnson, who will soon be seen alongside Nicolas Cage in Matthew Vaughn´s "Kick-Ass" and as the young John Lennon in the Sundance 2010 entry, "Nowhere Boy;" Johnny Simmons, who recently co-starred in "Jennifer´s Body," and who is currently filming Robert Redford´s historical drama, "The Conspirator;" Zoe Kravitz, soon to be seen in Joel Schumacher´s "Twelve;" and last year´s Academy Award-nominee, Michael Shannon. Feste is about to start production in January on her next feature, the country music drama "Love Don´t Let Me Down ," starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester, for producer Tobey Maguire and Screen Gems.

Paladin, formed by veteran independent distributor Urman this past summer, next releases Tennessee Williams´ "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond," starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Evans, Ellen Burstyn and Ann-Margret on December 30. In February, the company will open Jeb Stuart´s epic civil rights drama "Blood Done Sign My Name," starring Nate Parker and Rick Schroder. Bette Gordon´s "Handsome Harry," starring Jamey Sheridan, Steve Buscemi, Campbell Scott, Aidan Quinn and John Savage, will be released in April.

Producer Lynette Howell, of Silverwood Productions, who teamed with Urman previously on the Oscar-nominated "Half Nelson," says, "We are excited that the movie is able to stay under the careful guidance of Mark Urman and his new Paladin banner, as he has always been our choice of distributor for this film. This film is the perfect blend of celebrating seasoned professionals such as Susan and Pierce, but has also helped discover new talents such as Carey Mulligan and director Shana Feste."

St. Clair, of Irish Dreamtime Productions said, "We believe that Paladin and NEM, our innovative all media distribution team, will do a terrific job getting the film out to the widest possible audience." Feste concludes, "I am thrilled that Mark Urman´s Paladin and NEM are releasing my first feature as they have demonstrated the sort of passion and commitment to the movie that makes a filmmaker feel in safe hands."

Launched in 2008, National Entertainment Media (NEM) is dedicated to delivering compelling, star-powered films to consumers through a variety of distribution channels. Boasting top-notch production values and many of Hollywood´s leading actors, NEM´s slate of films includes the romantic comedy "Baby on Board," starring Heather Graham, Jerry O´Connell, John Corbett and Lara Flynn Boyle; "Night Train," a taut thriller featuring Danny Glover, Leelee Sobieski and Steve Zahn; "Camille," starring James Franco and Sienna Miller; the mob drama "Staten Island," starring Ethan Hawke, Vincent D´Onofrio and Seymour Cassel; and "Motherhood," starring Uma Thurman, Anthony Edwards and Minnie Driver.

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