Saban Films Acquires Josh Duhamel's Directorial Debut "BUDDY GAMES"

SABAN FILMS ACQUIRES JOSH DUHAMEL’S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT “BUDDY GAMES”


LOS ANGELES (July 23, 2020) – Saban Films announced today that they have acquired U.S. rights to Josh Duhamel’s writing and directing debut Buddy Games.  The comedy boasts an all-star ensemble cast including Duhamel (Transformers franchise, Love, Simon), Olivia Munn (Ocean’s Eight, X-Men: Apocalypse), Dax Shepard (CHIPS, Without a Paddle), Kevin Dillon (“Entourage,” Poseidon), James Roday (“Psych,” “A Million Little Things”), Nick Swardson (Sandy Wexler, Jack and Jill) and Dan Bakkedahl (“Veep,” “Life in Pieces”).  Michael J. Luisi (Fighting with My Family, The Call) produced alongside Duhamel and Jude Weng.

A group of friends reunite to play the Buddy Games, a wild assortment of absurd physical and mental challenges. In the process, they'll heal old wounds, right past wrongs and figure out the true meaning of friendship...or die trying.

“Josh Duhamel has created a laugh-out-loud comedy,” commented Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley.  “We are thrilled to be collaborating with him on his directorial debut, which is a fresh and daring achievement.”

“I set out to make a movie that I would want to see – something grounded but outrageous enough to shock audiences, and ultimately a story of friendship and camaraderie,” said Josh Duhamel. “I’m grateful to Saban Films for giving us the perfect platform for audiences to see it.”

Bill Bromiley and Jonathan Saba negotiated the deal for Saban Films along with attorney Matt Saver on behalf of the filmmakers. Buddy Games will be released by Saban Films, with plans to be announced at a later date.

Saban Films continues to grow its presence in the industry, remaining active in the acquisition, production and distribution space. The company’s successes have run the gamut from critically acclaimed theatrical films such as The Homesman starring Hilary Swank, to two of the biggest Fathom events with horror icon and heavy metal mastermind Rob Zombie’s 3 From Hell last year and Kevin Smith’s Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, the sequel to the 2001 comedy Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back which the company partnered on after coming onboard at script stage.

Its upcoming slate includes: Daniel Roby’s crime-thriller Most Wanted starring Antoine Olivier Pilon with Jim Gaffigan and Josh Hartnett; the Alicia Silverstone wedding comedy Sister of the Groom; Robin Pront’s crime thriller The Silencing starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Annabelle Wallis and Hero Fiennes Tiffin; Nicol Paone’s Friendsgiving with Malin Akerman, Christine Taylor, Jane Seymour, Kat Dennings and Chelsea Peretti; John Suits’ Breach starring Bruce Willis; Twist starring Michael Caine, Lena Headey and Rita Ora; and Jamie Babbit’s The Stand-In  with Drew Barrymore in a dual lead role.
 
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 Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Ness Saban, Vice President of Business Development.