Nicholas Tabarrok is heading back to Los Angeles with a distribution deal in place for his action comedy Defendor, which has been picked up by Sony Pictures.

The deal was negotiated by former ThinkFilm chief Jeff Sackman, on behalf of Tabarrok, and Sony execs.

Reached at his Toronto office on Thursday, Tabarrok told Playback Daily he was ‘very very happy’ with the outcome for the film, which stars Woody Harrelson as a delusional man who thinks he’s a superhero. Sandra Oh plays his psychiatrist.

‘I was hopeful but prepared for any outcome, especially in this market,’ said Tabarrok, adding that there was interest from ‘several parties’ right after the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday. The deal closed on Tuesday.

The Toronto- and L.A.-based producer did not disclose the figure paid for the film, though he indicated that everyone was very happy with the number. Defendor, helmed by Vancouver actor-turned-director Peter Stebbings, will be released in Canada via Alliance Films.

Tabarrok says a release date has not been determined, though it will likely be next year.