Fox Searchlight Pictures announced today that the company acquired U.S. rights to the buzz-heavy The Wrestler, which won the Golden Lion at the recent Venice Film Festival and just had its North American premiere last night at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by Rob Siegel, The Wrestler centers around Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a tough guy who in the late 1980s was a headlining professional. Now, twenty years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of diehard wrestling fans in high school gyms and community centers around New Jersey. Estranged from his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and unable to sustain any real relationships, Randy lives for the thrill of the show and the adoration of his fans. When a heart attack forces him into retirement and his sense of identity starts to slip away, though, Randy begins to evaluate the state of his life — striking up a blossoming romance with an aging stripper (Marisa Tomei) and trying to reconnect with his daughter.

Said Fox Searchlight Pictures President Peter Rice: “Darren Aronofsky has created an
unbelievably electrifying and compelling tale with tour de force
performances. We are delighted to be releasing this brilliantly
executed film, and thank Wild Bunch for choosing Searchlight.” A December release is being scheduled.