SABAN FILMS NABS NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO TARAN KILLAM’S “KILLING GUNTHER” STARRING ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Saban Films has acquired North American distribution rights to Taran Killam’s (The Heat, “Saturday Night Live”) Killing Gunther, in which he stars alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger (the Terminator franchise, The Expendables franchise), Bobby Moynihan (Inside Out, Sisters), Hannah Simone (“New Girl”), Cobie Smulders (“How I Met Your Mother”), Paul Brittain (Hotel Transylvania 2), Amir Talai (What to Expect When You’re Expecting), Aaron Yoo (21, Disturbia), Ryan Gaul (Identity Thief) and Allison Tolman (“Fargo,” “Downward Dog”). The action comedy is produced by Killam, Kim Leadford, Ash Sarohia and Steve Squillante, executive produced by Schwarzenegger and financed by StarStream Media and Ingenious Media. Saban Films is planning a theatrical release later this year. IMR International is handling the foreign rights.
Killing Gunther tells the story of Gunther (Schwarzenegger), the world's greatest hitman. There are plenty of reasons to want to kill him: he's arrogant, he's a show-off, and he steals jobs. The assassin community is tired of it. Determined to retire Gunther for good, a group of eccentric killers from across the globe come together to set the perfect trap. But their master plan quickly turns into a series of embarrassing fails as Gunther always appears one step ahead. The film just wrapped production.
“Taran Killam’s immense talent on both sides of the camera is on full display in his impressive directorial debut,” said Bromiley. “We can’t wait for audiences to see Arnold Schwarzenegger in the type of role that has made him one of the most watchable and reliable stars of all time.”
Killam added, “I am unbelievably grateful to Saban for distributing my directorial debut, and the excitement and support they've shown our film. I particularly applaud their courage in taking a risk on my up-and-coming costar "Schwartzy" as he hates to be called.”
Ness Saban and Bill Bromiley negotiated the deal on behalf of Saban Films with UTA Independent Film Group and CAA.
Saban Films continues to be an active buyer following the acquisition of the Ethan Hawke Action/Thriller 24 Hours to Live out of the Cannes Film Festival. Recent titles also include Simon West’s Gun Shy starring Antonio Banderas and Olga Kurylenko and John Travolta’s Speed Kills. Upcoming titles for release include: Ric Roman Waugh’s Shot Caller starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Lake Bell; Sean Penn’s The Last Face starring Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem; John Stockwell’s Armed Response starring Wesley Snipes and Anne Heche; Alexandros Avranas’ True Crime starring Jim Carrey; and FilmNation’s sci-fi film Kill Switch starring Dan Stevens and Bérénice Marlohe.