Open Road Nabs U.S. Rights to Jon Favreau's 'Chef,' Sets May Release Date

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Jon Favreau

Favreau stars opposite Robert Downey Jr., Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson and John Leguizamo.

Open Road Films and Jon Favreau are getting into the food truck business.

The film distributor has acquired U.S. rights to Aldamisa Entertainment's ensemble film Chef. Favreau directs and stars in the movie opposite Robert Downey Jr., Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson and John Leguizamo.

Open Roads has set a May 9 release date, beating rival Bradley Cooper project Chef to the punch. John Wells is directing that project for The Weinstein Co.
Chef tells the story of Carl Casper (Favreau), who loses his chef job and cooks up a food truck business in hopes of re-establishing his artistic promise. At the same time, he tries to reconnect with his estranged family.

Producers are Karen Gilchrist and Aldamisa's Sergei Bespalov. Production begins in July in Los Angeles.

“Led by the wildly talented Jon Favreau, this is a very exciting project with a fantastic script and a truly incredible group of actors,” says Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg.
Added Bespalov: "It's very exciting to begin production on this witty and charming project with its terrific cast, led by the multi-talented Jon Favreau."
CAA, which packaged and arranged financing for Chef, brokered the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.
The deal was negotiated on behalf of Open Road Films by Ortenberg, Elliott Kleinberg, general counsel and executive VP of operations and business affairs, and Ben Cotner, senior vice president of acquisitions. Jere Hausfater and Philip Elway represented Aldamisa.