EXCLUSIVE: Comedy by Tom Hanks Otto, the Man Who Called Himself a Man is full-steam ahead with filming set to begin next month in on location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, we can reveal.
STX International has boarded international sales rights to the hot project ahead of the virtual EFM and CAA Media Finance will rep domestic alongside Lichter Grossman Nichols Adler Feldman & Clark.
Hanks was an Oscar winner in comedy adaptations of Scandinavian hits. Ove, the Man Who Calls Himself Ove are Mariana Treviño (Overboard), Rachel Keller (LegionManuel Garcia-Rulfo (6 Underground).
As we revealed earlier this month, Marc Forster will direct the SF Studios movie, which is adapted from the Fredrik Backman original written and directed by Hannes Holm. To reflect the American setting, the title character has been renamed.
The film will follow Otto (Hanks), a grumpy isolated widower with staunch principles, strict routines and a short fuse, who gives everyone in his neighborhood a hard time as he watches over it like a hawk. Just as it seems like he’s finally given up on life, an unlikely and reluctant friendship develops with his new neighbors. Little by little, Otto undergoes a subtle transformation…but is he really capable of change?
David Magee (a two-time Oscar nominee) has written the new script.Pi’s Life) who will also executive produce.Otto, the Man Who Called Himself a ManThe pair will reunite for the first time after their successful collaboration on the acclaimed Finding Neverland.
Fredrik Wikström Nicastro (Ove, the Man Who Calls Himself OveSF Studios and Rita Wilson are producing the film.Mamma Mia!Playtone partners Gary Goetzman and Tom Hanks are also included in this arrangement. Marc Forster and Renée Wolfe will serve as executive producers via their production company 2DUX2 (World War Z). SF Studios has fully funded the project.
WME reps Forster. CAA is representing Hanks.