Will Ferrell Set To Star In Lasse Hallström’s Comedy TOM’S DAD

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Box office winner and Golden Globe nominee Will Ferrell (GET HARD, ANCHORMAN 1 and 2) will star in the comedy TOM’S DAD to be directed by Oscar nominated director Lasse Hallström (THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY).

Principal photography on the feature film is slated to begin early next year, with further casting underway.

Set in 1960s Nevada, Arthur (Ferrell) is a struggling nightclub performer hoping to make it big with his stage act involving circus animals. He is forced to reconnect with his estranged 12-year old son, Tom, when his ex-wife departs on a three week trip, leaving the pair to rekindle their father-son relationship.

It was announced today by producers Joni Levin and Keith Clarke (THE WAY BACK, upcoming BEN HUR) of Point Blank Productions, Christi Dembrowski and Johnny Depp of Infinitum Nihil (HUGO, RUM DIARY, DARK SHADOWS) and Arsenal’s John Ptak (LET ME IN, THE WAY BACK).

Fortitude International, co-founded by Nadine de Barros, Robert Ogden Barnum and Daniel Wagner, is handling foreign sales on the project and is presenting it to buyers at the Cannes Film Market. De Barros is supported by her sales team including Katie Irwin, VP of International and Samantha Peel, Director of International Sales and Marketing.

Peter D. Graves (TERMINATOR SALVATION, W.) is executive producing, as well as providing marketing and distribution oversight.

Emmy-Award winning production designer Thomas A. Walsh (ABC’s “Desperate Housewives,” A&E’s “Longmire”) will co-produce.

UTA Independent Film Group is handling North American rights.

Martin Casella (ONE NIGHT STAND) wrote the original screenplay with revisions by Clarke.

“When great talent like Will Ferrell and Lasse Hallström connect so personally to great material, you have to believe the movie Gods are on your side,” said Levin.

“Will Ferrell is one of the most in demand actors working today who drives audiences to theatres given his likeable and charismatic persona. Combined with the sensibility and artistry of director Lasse Hallström, TOM’S DAD promises to be both entertaining and delightfully heartfelt,” said de Barros.

Amassing over $1 billion at the US box office, Will Ferrell has starred in an impressive list of successful blockbusters while also producing and managing his hugely popular website, Funny or Die. Most recently, he lent his voice to the box office smash THE LEGO MOVIE and starred in the hit GET HARD with comedian Kevin Hart. He next stars in DADDY’S HOME, with Mark Wahlberg for Paramount Pictures, which is scheduled for a late 2015 release and is currently filming the highly anticipated sequel, ZOOLANDER 2, opposite Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson. His other credits include ANCHORMAN 1 and 2, THE OTHER GUYS, STEP BROTHERS, STRANGER THAN FICTION and ELF.

Swedish film director Lasse Hallström has been nominated for three Oscars during his distinguished career. He directed the classic THE CIDER HOUSE RULES starring Michael Caine in an Oscar-winning performance. The film also won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar in addition to being nominated for Best Picture and Best Director. Hallström was previously nominated for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for MY LIFE AS DOG. Last summer, Hallström’s film, THE HUNDRED FOOT JOURNEY, starring Oscar winner Helen Mirren became a critical and box office success worldwide. His other directing credits include DEAR JOHN, CHOCOLAT and WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE.

Former CAA agent, John Ptak, founded Arsenal in 2006, which advises producers and filmmakers on the financing, marketing and distribution arrangements of independent films. Titles include Terry Gilliam’s THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSAS, LET ME IN, THE WAY BACK, WILD and U2 3D.

Producer Joni Levin and writer/producer Keith Clarke are founders of film and television production company Point Blank Productions. Their credits include THE WAY BACK directed by Peter Weir, starring Colin Farrell, Ed Harris, Saoirse Ronan and Mark Strong and BEN HUR starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Houston, directed by Timur Bekmambetov, written by Clarke and produced by Levin currently shooting.