Independent film distributor Screen Media said on Thursday that it has acquired North American rights to “Corporate Animals.”
The film, which premiered in the midnight section of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, stars Demi Moore, Ed Helms, Jessica Williams, Karan Soni, Isiah Whitlock Jr, Dan Bakkedahl, Calum Worthy, Nasim Pedrad, Martha Kelly, Jennifer Kim and the voice of Britney Spears.
“Corporate Animals” was directed by Patrick Brice and has been described as “The Office” meets “The Descent.” Screen Media is planning a day-and-date release for this summer.
The film follows Lucy (Demi Moore) as the egotistical, megalomaniac CEO of Incredible Edible Cutlery, America’s premier provider of edible cutlery. In her infinite wisdom, Lucy leads her staff, including her long-suffering assistants, Freddie (Karan Soni) and Jess (Jessica Williams), on a corporate team-building spelunking weekend in New Mexico. When disaster strikes, not even their useless guide, Brandon (Ed Helms), can save them. Trapped underground by a cave-in, this mismatched and disgruntled group must pull together in order to survive.
“This is a really special movie and Screen Media gets that,” Helms said in a statement. “I know we’re in great hands, and I can’t wait for the world to see what the warped minds of Patrick Brice, Sam Bain, and this epic cast have served up.”
Seth Needle, Screen Media’s senior vice president of worldwide acquisitions, negotiated the deal with ICM Partners and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to have found such enthusiastic partners in Screen Media,” Brice said in a statement. “Watching ‘Corporate Animals’ with audiences in Sundance was a confirmation that this movie is a truly unique theatrical experience and I’m honored to have our insane film with such a great distributor.”
Brice is best known for his films “The Overnight” and “Creep.” “Corporate Animals” was produced by Helms and Mike Falbo of Pacific Electric Picture Co., as well as Jess Wu Calder and Keith Calder of Snoot Entertainment (“Blindspotting” and “Little Monsters”) and was written by Sam Bain.
“Prefacing that I don’t see any of myself in Demi’s character, I’m really thrilled that we will be working with such talented individuals – Keith, Jess and the Snoot team, Ed, Mike and their team, and Patrick, who we’ve been a big fan of for a while,” said Screen Media president David Fannon in a statement. “Their warped – and I guess relatable story – is a real fun ride. We know audiences will enjoy it.”