EXCLUSIVE: Sony Pictures has just acquired what’s described to me as a Canadian maple syrup heist comedy pitch. Jason Segel is attached to star, and Identity Thief helmer Seth Gordon will direct. Family Guy vet Chris Sheridan is writing the script. Barry Josephson is producing with Gordon and Segel. The comedy with dramatic overtones is inspired by real events reported in the Montreal Gazette by journalist Anne Sutherland. Over $20 million worth of maple syrup was stolen in 2012 from Quebec’s Federation of Maple Syrup Producers and to date, over 20 individuals have been arrested in conjunction with the heist as prosecutors try to make the charges stick.
Sony seems to be fattening up in the culinary genre after making the Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs films and today announcing the Seth Rogen/Evan Goldberg animated film Sausage Party, that topped by Canadian maple syrup. Wait, is Sausage Party a raunchy reference and not about the delectable meat? No, even though Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are behind it, it is actually about one sausage’s quest to discover the purpose of life (spoiler alert: to be barbecued and eaten?). WME brokered the heist pic deal for Gordon, Segel and Sheridan.
Gordon is also represented by Brillstein Entertainment and Warren Dern, Segel by Stacy Abrams at Abrams Entertainment and Warren Dern. Segel is currently filming Sex Tape for Sony for 2014 release.
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Excellent. I sense many food-themed events if/when these pics premiere…
Sorry, Seth Gordon has made one good movie (Horrible Bosses) and two unwatchable ones. Good luck, Sony.
Awesome! Love Segal, love the premise!
Jason Segel and Seth Gordon are both fantastic and this looks hilarious. Can’t wait for all the Canada jokes.
Thought it said Jason Statham. Now that would have been interesting.
I’m sorry, but when was it determined that Jason Segal is a movie star? Or even a TV star? I mean, the guy is at best a third or fourth banana on a bad, although a hit, sitcom.
Ed, I value and respect your opinion. But F you
This is actually pretty smart. They can shoot this film for buttons in Canada without any shame…., BECAUSE IT”S ACTUALLY SET IN CANADA.
Also that logline sounds fun. This is what Sony should be doing. Comedies that can be made at a smart price and not burning money on nonsense like Total Recall and Robocop remakes.
Eh.