Jenna Fischer (The Office), Topher Grace (Predators), Malin Akerman (Watchmen) and Chris Messina (Julia and Julia) have all signed on to star in The Giant Mechanical Man. The film will be a romantic comedy, which tells the story of “two outsiders -- a misunderstood street performer (Chris Messina) and the soft spoken zoo worker who falls for him.” Fischer will play the role of the zoo keeper, while Akerman will play her older sister, who pushes her towards dating a pompous motivational speaker (Topher Grace). The film will be written and directed by acclaimed playwright Lee Kirk. You can hit the jump to check out the full press release.
Los Angeles – November 5, 2010: Jenna Fischer (THE OFFICE, BLADES OF GLORY) will star in THE GIANT MECHANICAL MAN which begins production in Detroit later this month. Fischer is also producing alongside Molly Hassell (VAMPS, EDMOND), Michael Nardelli and Brent Stiefel (GRASSROOTS).
Written and directed by Lee Kirk, the film also stars Topher Grace (PREDATORS, VALENTINE’S DAY, SPIDERMAN 3), Malin Akerman (COUPLE’S RETREAT, WATCHMEN) and Chris Messina (GREENBERG, JULIE AND JULIA, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA).
THE GIANT MECHANICAL MAN is an offbeat romantic comedy about two outsiders -- a misunderstood street performer (Chris Messina) and the soft spoken zoo worker who falls for him. Akerman will play Fischer’s well-meaning sister who pushes her towards dating a pompous motivational speaker, played by Topher Grace.
Producer Molly Hassell said: “There are so many great projects out there which never make it to the silver screen. We’re thrilled that this indie film, which is a completely unique and interesting story gets to be told.”
Kirk, who comes from a theater background recently wrote and produced the award-winning short film THE MAN WHO INVENTED THE MOON as well as MAYBE IT’S ALBUQUERQUE, HERCULES, and the independent feature film PANTS ON FIRE. His critically acclaimed play Sad Happy Sucker enjoyed an extended sold-out run in Los Angeles.
Hassell has produced over 11 critically acclaimed films and documentaries to date with a slate that includes the Amy Heckerling project VAMPS with Red Hour Films and starring Alicia Silverstone, Krysten Ritter, and Sigourney Weaver.
Michael Cowan of Stealth Media out of the UK will sell the international rights while the North American sales are being handled by WME Independent. WME packaged the talent for the film. Writer/director Lee Kirk is repped by Brad Petrigala at Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Sarah Self.
Grace, who is repped by WME and BEP, will next be seen starring in Kids in America, which he also produced. He is currently shooting the HBO movie TOO BIG TO FAIL.
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