EXCLUSIVE: Greenwich announced today the acquisition of North American distribution rights to Brian the feature directorial debut of Will Ropp (The Fallout, The Way Back) from a Black List Featured Project script by Mike Scollins (Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers) starring Ben Wang (The Hunger Games: Sun Rise on the Reaping), Randall Park (The Residence, Always Be My Maybe), Natalie Morales (Language Lessons, No Hard Feelings), Edi Patterson (Righteous Gemstones, Knives Out), Joshua Colley (The Rise of Red, Dead Boy Detectives), Peyton Elizabeth Lee (Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.) and William H. Macy (Fargo, Shameless). Brian had its World Premiere at the SXSW Film Festival and Greenwich will release the film next year.
It sucks to be 17-year-old Brian (Ben Wang). While he is smart and capable, he suffers from an anxiety disorder that triggers explosive, highly public, and socially debilitating panic attacks. He lives in the shadow of his effortlessly cool older brother and constantly navigates the well-meaning but incredibly embarrassing support of his parents (Randall Park and Edi Patterson).
At school, Brian harbors an intense, unrequited crush on his kind and pretty English teacher (Natalie Morales). After a disastrous drama club audition spirals into a spectacular public meltdown, Brian sets out to find a new “thing” to redefine himself. In what seems like the absolute worst psychological fit, he decides to run for class president—primarily because Miss Brooke is the faculty advisor for the student government.
Aided by his dedicated therapist (William H. Macy) and the magnetic, friendly new kid in school, Justin (Joshua Colley)—who steps in as his campaign manager—Brian launches a high-stakes, chaotic campaign. What follows is a messy, excruciatingly awkward, and deeply heartfelt journey toward self-acceptance.
“So excited that Brian has found its home with Greenwich, said director Will Ropp. “They’ve built a reputation for championing bold independent films with unique voices, and I can’t wait to join forces and bring this movie to audiences who are going to love it as much as we loved making it.”
Brian was produced by Thomas Mahoney for Handsome Watson; Casey Hanley for Act 4 Artists; and Will Ropp for Endless Ropportunities with executive producers Danielle Lauder for Act 4 Artists; Mike Scollins; Seth Meyers, Mike Shoemaker, and Jason Carden for Sethmaker Shoemeyers Productions; and Talia Bella and Randy Wayne for Rebellium Films. The acquisition was negotiated by Greenwich’s Andy Bohn with Gersh Indie and CAA Media Finance representing the filmmakers.
Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy.
Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored. So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong.
