Octavia Spencer, Priyanka Chopra, Ann Dowd and Amy Landecker also star in Silas Howard's film exploring gender identity.


IFC Films said Thursday that it acquired the North American rights to A Kid Like Jake, starring Claire Danes and Jim Parsons.


In the family drama, the stars of Homeland and The Big Bang Theory, respectively, are parents of the titular 4-year-old boy (Leo James Davis). They struggle to get on the same page when Jake embraces interests that are traditionally categorized as female, and find themselves exploring facets of gender identity.


"We are excited and proud to be working with such an acclaimed group of actors and filmmakers to bring this timely, passion-driven and deft story to audiences beyond Sundance," Jonathan Sehring and Lisa Schwartz, co-presidents of IFC Films, said in a statement.


IFC plans a summer 2018 release. Parsons said in his own statement: "It is exactly this type of film — one born from passion and a commitment to telling a story that connects with many by being specific — that IFC has shown time and again they are excited by, understand and want audiences to have the chance to see."


Silas Howard (Transparent, This Is Us) directed from a script by Daniel Pearle, who wrote the original play of the same name. Octavia Spencer,Priyanka Chopra, Ann Dowd and Amy Landecker are also in the ensemble cast. The film debuted in the Premieres section of the Sundance Film Festival.


Parsons, Todd Spiewak, Eric Norsoph, Paul Bernon and Rachel Song produced. The deal was handled by Arianna Bocco, executive vp acquisitions and production for IFC Films, with CAA acting for the filmmakers. Bankside is handling international sales.