UPI sweet on 'Hard'

Universal Pictures Intl. Entertainment has acquired multi-territory rights for David L. G. Hughes' "Hard Boiled Sweets" for U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Benelux and Scandinavia. Distribution are shopping the pic at AFM, where it's its market preem screening. The crime-thriller stars Scot Williams ("The Crew"), Paul Freeman ("Hot Fuzz"), Peter Wight ("Another Year"), Ian Hart ("Finding Neverland"), Elizabeth Berrington ("In Bruges"), Laura Greenwood ("The Brothers and sisters Grimm") and Philip Barantini ("Gang of Brothers and sisters"). Story, which is founded on Hughes' short "A Lady together with a Gun," sees an ex-disadvantage forced into yanking a heist -- stealing a substantial sum of money in the mob boss -- he doesn't desire to. Pic is produced by Hughes and professional produced by Margaret Matheson. Deal was talked about by Content mind of sales Harry White-colored and UPIE's intl. purchases manager Jasper van Hecke. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com