Friday, February 8, 2013

Robin Williams, Joel McHale Sign on for 'A Friggin' Christmas Miracle'

By Liza Foreman

Joel McHale, Lauren Graham and Academy Award-winner Robin Williams are set to star in Sycamore Pictures dysfunctional holiday comedy "A Friggin' Christmas Miracle."

The screenplay was written by Phil Johnston, ("Wreck-It Ralph"), with Tristram Shapeero attached to direct.

Williams recently wrapped production on Phil Alden Robinson’s "Angriest Man in Brooklyn" and will soon begin production on Dito Montiel’s "Boulevard." The film will be produced by Tom Rice of Sycamore Pictures, and Joe and Anthony Russo.

Production is set to begin on location in Atlanta in late March, 2013.

The film follows Sycamore’s festival hit "The Way, Way Back," starring Steve Carell, Toni Collette and Sam Rockwell, which premiered last month at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and will be released in theaters this summer by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

"After an extremely exciting and successful week in Park City, Utah, we are very excited to head to Atlanta, Georgia to begin production on Phil’s heartfelt comedy surrounding a lovable but dysfunctional family, with another ensemble cast that is an embarrassment of riches,” says Rice.

The film follows Boyd Mitchler (Joel McHale) and his wife Luann (Lauren Graham), as they spend a dreaded Christmas with Boyd’s father Mitch (Robin Williams) and his family of misfits. Upon realizing that he has left all of his son’s gifts at home, Boyd hits the road with his father and younger brother in an attempt to make the 8-hour round trip before sunrise.

Tristram Shapeero, a veteran director of such acclaimed television shows as “Community,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Veep,” and “The New Girl,” will be making his feature directorial debut.

Sycamore and Hyde Park International have entered into a deal under which HPI will handle international rights. HPI will introduce the film to buyers this week at the EFM in Berlin.

Williams is repped by WME and MBST. McHale and Shapeero are repped by WME. Graham is repped by ICM, and Johnston is repped by CAA.

WME Global packaged the film, arranged financing and will represent North American Rights.

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