A week after it acquired distribution rights to the film at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, Paramount Pictures has now set release dates for writer/director Chris Rock’s "Top Five," which was at the center of a bidding war after a successful TIFF premiere which was well-received by critics (read Zeba’s review of the film here).

The studio announced  today that it will open the film, at first in a limited release, in select theaters, starting on December 5, which will be followed by a nationwide release on December 12.

"Top Five" tells the story of New York City comedian-turned-film star Andre Allen (Rock), whose unexpected encounter with a journalist (Rosario Dawson) forces him to confront the comedy career – and the past – that he’s left behind.  

Joining Chris Rock and Rosario Dawson in front of the camera are, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, Cedric The Entertainer, J.B. Smoove, Sherri Shepherd, Anders Holm, Romany Malco, Leslie Jones, Michael Che, and Jay Pharoah.

The film is produced by Scott Rudin and Eli Bush.  

The Co-Producers are Shawn “Jay Z” Carter and Kanye West; the Executive Music Producer is Questlove. Barry Diller and Scott Rudin’s IACF financed the film. 

No trailer yet, although I’m sure one will surface soon enough, with December 5 not-so-far away.