Lionsgate cozies up to 'Friends With Kids'

Lionsgate has acquired U.S. rights to Jennifer Westfeldt's ensemble comedy ''Friends With Kids,'' a week after its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. Deal closed Sunday on the final day of the festival. Deal was the first TIFF sale to Lionsgate, which had no official comment as to release plans. ''Friends with Kids,'' shot in NY early this year, stars Westfeldt, Jon Hamm, Adam Scott, Megan Fox, Kristen Wiig, Edward Burns, Maya Rudolph and Chris O'Dowd. Written and directed by Westfeldt (''Kissing Jessica Stein''), pic centers on a group of friends whose lives are changed as the couples in the group begin to have children. Westfeldt and Scott portray best friends who launch a romance while attempting to avoid the expectations of a married relationship. Hamm, Wiig, Rudolph and O'Dowd are among the pals with kids. ''Friends'' is produced by Westfeldt and Hamm's Points West Pictures and Riza Aziz and Joey McFarland's Red Granite Pictures. Pic is the first for both production companies. Producers are Westfeldt, Hamm, Joshua Astrachan, John Kasdan, Joey McFarland and Riza Aziz. Executive producers are Mike Nichols, John Sloss, Lucy Barzun Donnelly and Joe Gatta with Kathryn Dean co-producing. Cinetic Media handled U.S. rights and Red Granite is handling international sales. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

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