Christmas has arrived early for Mel Gibson.
Saban Films has picked up the U.S. rights to Fatman, which sees Gibson star as a rowdy Santa Claus.
The story centers on a neglected and precocious 12-year-old who hires an unorthodox hitman to kill Santa Claus after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking. Walton Goggins and Marianne Jean-Baptiste also star.
Written and directed by Eshom and Ian Nelms, who worked with Saban on Small Town Crime, Fatman is produced by Fortitude International’s Nadine de Barros and Mammoth Entertainment’s Todd Courtney, along with RBL Studios’ Michelle Lang, Zed Filmworks’ Robert Menzies and Skywolf Media’s Lisa Wolofsky.
Saban Films’ Jonathan Saba and Bill Bromiley are executive producing along with financiers Hans Hufschmid and Todd Courtney in addition to Brandon James, Alastair Burlingham, The Film House’s Ryan R. Johnson, Windy Hill Pictures’ Buddy Patrick, Gary Raskin, Ben Rosenblatt, Kyle Stroud and Ingenious Media’s Peter Touche and Samantha Allwinton.
Bromiley said, “This is our second collaboration with the Nelms brothers, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring another unique, thrilling movie of theirs to our audiences. Eshom and Ian are a talented duo, and we were hooked from script stage. This one is a fun ride.”
Fortitude International negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers, and is handling the international rights. Release plans will be announced at a later date.
