Neon, in partnership with Hulu, won a bidding war for the rights to the Lupita Nyong’o-led zombie comedy “Little Monsters” in a deal worth mid-seven figures, according to an individual with knowledge of the negotiations.
Australian writer-director Abe Forsythe’s film, which also stars Alexander England and Josh Gad, premiered Sunday in the midnight section of the Sundance Film Festival.
“Little Monsters” follows directionless Dave (Alexander England) who takes an opportunity to chaperone an upcoming school trip alongside the charming and enigmatic teacher, Miss Caroline (Lupita Nyong’o), in order to impress her.
What he wasn’t expecting was a zombie invasion, which unfolds after an experiment at a nearby military base goes awry. Armed only with the resourcefulness of kindergartners, Dave, Miss Caroline and children’s TV personality Teddy McGiggle (Josh Gad) must work together to keep the monsters at bay.
The film was one of a number of deals that were brokered late into the night on Sunday. In addition to “Little Monsters,” Neon booked distribution rights for the Riley Keough-led thriller “The Lodge,” Amazon landed another big acquisition; picking up Adam Driver’s fact-based political thriller “The Report” for around $14 million, and British filmmaker Gurinder Chadha’s Bruce Springsteen-infused film “Blinded by the Light” was on its way to New Line for roughly $15 million, the festival’s biggest deal thus far.
CAA Media Finance and Endeavor Content brokered the deal.