Newly formed distributor D Films has obtained the Canadian rights to the Charles Darwin drama Creation, set to open the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday.

It is the Toronto company’s first acquisition under the D Films banner, according to a Tuesday announcement from president Jim Sherry and VP of acquisitions Tony Cianciotta, who negotiated the deal with Tim Haslam, CEO of London-based HanWay Films.

The British-made Creation stars Paul Bettany (The Da Vinci Code) as pioneering thinker Darwin, who struggles to balance his love for his deeply religious wife, portrayed by Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) and his beliefs in science. The film is directed by Jon Amiel (Entrapment).

‘Through this first acquisition we have begun to implement our corporate objectives of associating our boutique operation with the most talented and recognizable industry labels and with the best in filmed entertainment from around the world,’ commented Sherry in a release.

‘We couldn’t have asked for a better fit than Creation as our first acquisition under the D Films banner. Creation has an extraordinary cast, a great script, and is extremely well-made,’ added Cianciotta.

The film is set for release in 2010.