EXCLUSIVE: Deadline learned that First video acquired worldwide rights to Ricky Stanicky Oscar winner green book director Peter Farrelly.
Moreover, sorry to disturb youit is Jermaine Fowler has joined the cast and will star alongside Zac Efron and John Cena. Ricky Stanickywhich marks a return to comedy for Farrelly, begins production in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia this month. Deadline first told you about the R-rated project.
In the film, three friends invent a character to use to get out of sticky situations, but they have to hire an actor to play their fictional friend when their loved ones become suspects.
Producers include Paul Currie (Hacksaw Ridge, black light) via Footloose Productions, Thorsten Schumacher (Future Crimes, In the west, nothing is new) via Rocket Science, in association with John Jacobs (Ted, Blade of Glory) through Smart Entertainment. The screenplay, written by Farrelly, Brian Jarvis (strong milk) and Jim Freeman (strong milk), is based on an original specification by Jeff Bushnell (Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Zoey 101) and Steve Oedekerk (Bruce Almighty, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls).
Fowler recently starred in the Hulu comedy Drop. He can also be seen alongside Dakota Johnson in the comedy do i agree and was instrumental in the success of Prime Video’s Eddie Murphy Coming 2 America. Next, Fowler can be seen in Lionsgate’s Blackening. Previously, Fowler appeared in the critically acclaimed Shaka King film, Judas and the Black Messiah. He also starred in and produced the CBS comedy Superior donutsand on the big screen, was seen opposite Lakeith Stanfield in 2018 sorry to disturb you. Additionally, Fowler previously co-created and starred in the truTV sketch comedy series friends of the people. Fowler is represented by UTA and Entertainment 360.
Farrelly’s two-time Oscar-winning comedic canon includes Stupid and even dumber, Shallow hall, Kingpin, Hall Pass, and There’s something about Mary, which have amassed over a combined worldwide box office revenue of over $1 billion.
CAA Media Finance and Rocket Science brokered the deal with Prime Video on behalf of the filmmakers.
“We are thrilled to embark on this new project with comedy legend Peter Farrelly,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon and MGM Studios. “With Peter’s expertise and hilarious performances from our stellar cast led by Zac Efron, John Cena and Jermaine Fowler, our Prime Video viewers around the world are waiting for a little mischief and lots of laughs. .”
“I am very grateful to Amazon, as well as Paul Currie, Thorsten Schumacher and John Jacobs, for finally bringing Ricky Stanicky to life,” Farrelly said. “It’s been a dream project of mine for many years, but to end up with such a crazy cast makes the wait more than worthwhile.”
The Amazon original film will stream on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world upon release. The production was drawn to Victoria thanks to the Victorian Screen Incentive and the Regional Location Assistance Fund.