Giamatti comedy acquired by Samuel Goldwyn

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- The film studio, Samuel Goldwyn, now owns the U.S. rights to the film "Cold Souls," a new comedy starring actor Paul Giamatti, industry sources say.

The Hollywood Reporter said Friday that the metaphysical comedy marked the fist purchase by the Hollywood studio of a work shown at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

The film, which also stars actress Emily Watson, was produced by Journeyman Pictures and Touchy Feely Films. "Souls" was both written and directed by Sophie Barthes.

The comedy follows Giamatti's character, an actor named Paul Giamatti, as he has his soul transplanted into another person's body.

The real-life Giamatti is best known for roles in films such as "Sideways," Cinderella Man" and "American Splendor," along with the 2008 TV miniseries "John Adams."