In Sundance comedy “Dope,” three teenagers get in over their heads with a local drug dealer, but it’s hard to tell that based on the first trailer, which teases something far more fantastical.
Shameik Moore stars in Rick Famuyiwa’s coming-of-age comedy as Malcolm, a young man tasked with juggling his many academic pursuits while also trying to survive in a tough Los Angeles neighborhood. His character eventually winds up getting invited to an underground party, prompting an unbelievable evening of discovery and adventure.
Judging by the trailer, the adventure evidently even involves Malcolm transforming into a video game version of himself at some point.
“Dope” co-stars Tony Revolori (“The Grand Budapest Hotel”), Kiersey Clemons (Amazon’s “Transparent”), Blake Anderson (“Workaholics”), A$AP Rocky, Zoe Kravitz and Chanel Iman.
Nina Yang Bongiovi and Forrest Whitaker produced the film, with Michael Y. Chow, Rick Famuyiwa and David Lonner. Co-executive producer is Sean Combs.
Open Road has set a Jun. 19 release date for “Dope,” which it picked up at Sundance for $7 million.
Watch TheWrap’s interview with cast at Sundance: