SABAN FILMS NABS NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO
TARAN KILLAM’S “KILLING GUNTHER”
STARRING Arnold Schwarzenegger
LOS ANGELES – July 7, 2017 – Saban Films has acquired North American distribution rights to Taran Killam’s (The Heat, “Saturday Night Live”) Killing Gunther, in which he stars alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger (the Terminator franchise, The Expendables franchise), Bobby Moynihan (Inside Out, Sisters), Hannah Simone (“New Girl”), Cobie Smulders (“How I Met Your Mother”), Paul Brittain (Hotel Transylvania 2), Amir Talai (What to Expect When You’re Expecting), Aaron Yoo (21, Disturbia), Ryan Gaul (Identity Thief) and Allison Tolman (“Fargo,” “Downward Dog”).
The action comedy is produced by Killam, Kim Leadford, Ash Sarohia and Steve Squillante, executive produced by Schwarzenegger and financed by StarStream Media and Ingenious Media. Saban Films is planning a theatrical release later this year. IMR International is handling the foreign rights.
Killing Gunther tells the story of Gunther (Schwarzenegger), the world's greatest hitman. There are plenty of reasons to want to kill him: he's arrogant, he's a show-off, and he steals jobs. The assassin community is tired of it. Determined to retire Gunther for good, a group of eccentric killers from across the globe come together to set the perfect trap. But their master plan quickly turns into a series of embarrassing fails as Gunther always appears one step ahead. The film just wrapped production.
“Taran Killam’s immense talent on both sides of the camera is on full display in his impressive directorial debut,” said Bromiley. “We can’t wait for audiences to see Arnold Schwarzenegger in the type of role that has made him one of the most watchable and reliable stars of all time.”
Killam added, “I am unbelievably grateful to Saban for distributing my directorial debut, and the excitement and support they've shown our film. I particularly applaud their courage in taking a risk on my up-and-coming costar "Schwartzy" as he hates to be called.”
Ness Saban and Bill Bromiley negotiated the deal on behalf of Saban Films with UTA Independent Film Group and CAA.
Saban Films continues to be an active buyer following the acquisition of the Ethan Hawke Action/Thriller 24 Hours to Live out of the Cannes Film Festival. Recent titles also include Simon West’s Gun Shy starring Antonio Banderas and Olga Kurylenko and John Travolta’s Speed Kills. Upcoming titles for release include: Ric Roman Waugh’s Shot Caller starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Lake Bell; Sean Penn’s The Last Face starring Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem; John Stockwell’s Armed Response starring Wesley Snipes and Anne Heche; Alexandros Avranas’ True Crime starring Jim Carrey; and FilmNation’s sci-fi film Kill Switch starring Dan Stevens and Bérénice Marlohe.
About Saban Films
Saban Films, an affiliate of Saban Capital Group (“SCG”), is a film acquisition and distribution company which acquires high-quality, feature films to distribute in North America. Focusing on commercial, talent driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production for release across multiple platforms, including a day and date theatrical/VOD release strategy. Based in Los Angeles, Saban Films was established by Haim Saban, SCG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and is led by Bill Bromiley who serves as president, Shanan Becker, Chief Financial Officer and Ness Saban, Director of Business Development.
Since the company’s launch in 2014, Saban Films has released 23 films. The 2017 Saban Films slate includes: John Michael McDonagh’s War on Everyone starring Michael Peña, Alexander Skarsgård, Theo James, and Tessa Thompson; Colm McCarthy’s critically acclaimed apocalyptic thriller The Girl with All the Gifts starring Glenn Close, Gemma Arterton and Paddy Considine; Walter Hill’s The Assignment starring Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub, Anthony LaPaglia; and Jonathan Mostow’s The Hunter’s Prayer starring Sam Worthington and Odeya Rush.
About StarStream Media
StarStream is a television and motion picture production and financing company focused on producing and financing edgy, high quality content with top story tellers, strong casts and lean budgets for a commercial audience.
Starstream has produced Life of Crime (Lionsgate) (Jennifer Aniston, Tim Robbins, John Hawkes, Will Forte and Mos Def), Life After Beth (A24 Films) (Aubrey Plaza, Dane Dehaan, John C Reilly and Molly Shannon), Yoga Hosers (Invincible/Netflix) (Lily-Rose Depp, Harley Quinn Smith, Johnny Depp, Michael Parks, Justin Long, Haley Joel Osment and Genesis Rodriguez), Joshy (Lionsgate/Hulu) (Thomas Middleditch, Adam Pally, Alex Ross Perry, Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate and Brett Gelman), The Little Hours (Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Kate Micucci, Aubrey Plaza, John C Reilly and Molly Shannon), Song of Back and Neck (Paul Lieberstein, Rosemarie DeWitt), and Killing Gunther (Taran Killam, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bobby Moynihan, Cobie Smulders).
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