USA, SCHAEFFER IN "NEVER" LAND
by Ian Mohr

NEW YORK -- USA Films has acquired domestic distribution rights to indie writer-director Eric Schaeffer's romantic comedy "Never Again."

"Never" stars Jeffrey Tambor and Jill Clayburgh in the story of two lovelorn middle-aged New Yorkers who swear off romance only to fall for each other after a chance meeting.  Tambor plays an exterminator and jazz musician questioning his sexual orientation, while Clayburgh is a divorcee looking to jump-start her life.  Sparks fly when the two meet in a gay bar.

The project co-stars Michael McKean, Caroline Aaron, Sandy Duncan and Bill Duke and was produced by Terence Michael, Dawn Wolfrom and Bob Kravitz.  "never" is an Amy Robinson presentation.

"Never" made its debut at the South by Southwest Film Festival this year, and USA Films senior vp acquisitions and co-productions Steven Raphael brought the film to the distributor.  USA has not yet chosen a release date for "Never."

I'm very grateful that USA Films will distribute this project, Schaeffer said.  "USA is a company that I've always thought very highly of.... I'm also very excited USA could see that there is a tremendous market for this movie.  'Never Again' is a film about adults.  And I've felt there's a dearth of films out there that people can see, as film fans, about characters who matter to them.

Added USA president of production Donna Gigliotti: "'Never Again' is smart, empathetic and laugh-out-loud funny.  Eric has long been one of New York's true independent filmmaking voices.  With 'Never Again,' he has broken through to tell a story that adults of all ages... can relate to."

The "Never" deal was brokered for USA by executive vp business affairs Avy Eschenasy.  Terence Michael and the law firm Schreck Rose & Dapello repped the filmmakers.

Schaeffer's credits include "My Life's In Turnaround," "If Lucy Fell," "Fall," and "Wirey Spindell."