Focus acquires rights to 'Hamlet 2'

PARK CITY , Utah, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Focus Features said it has acquired the worldwide rights to Andrew Fleming's comedy "Hamlet 2," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

Fleming, who also directed "Dick," "The Craft" and "Threesome," wrote the original screenplay for "Hamlet 2" with Pam Brady, who was the writer-producer of "South Park" and "Team America: World Police."

"Hamlet 2" is a comedy about a failed actor-turned-high-school-drama teacher (Steve Coogan) who rallies his Tucson, Ariz., students as he conceives and stages a politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespeare's "Hamlet."

The film also stars David Arquette, Melonie Diaz, Catherine Keener, Amy Poehler and Elisabeth Shue.

"Andrew Fleming and an extraordinary filmmaking team have brought everyone at Focus an amazing New Year's present. We can't wait to share this riotously inventive movie with the whole world," Focus Features Chief Executive Officer James Schamus and Focus President Andrew Karpen said in a statement.