German Comedy Star Herbig Switches from Constantin to Warner Bros.

CANNES – Warner Bros. in Germany has signed a new first-look deal with director and comedy star Michael ‘Bully’ Herbig, the country’s most commercially sucessful filmmaker.

WB will release Herbig’s next two movies in Germany and act as a co-producer together with the filmmaker’s HerbX shingle. Up till now, Herbig has released his films through German mini-major Constantin Film.

The first title under the new Warner deal is Buddy, a comedy which Herbig will write, direct, co-produce and star in. Shooting is set to begin in March 2013. Herbig’s last film as a director, Vicky The Viking (2009), earned close to $40 million at the German box office. His most successful title to date, the Western spoof Manitou’s Shoe, cleared around $85 million in the territory.