The film, slated to be released theatrically in April 2004, stars Emile Hirsch ("The Emperor's Club," "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys"), is executive-produced by Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R)-winning actor Stanley Tucci ("Maid in Manhattan," "The Core") and directed by Michael Burke ("Fishbelly White"). Elizabeth W. Alexander, Alison Benson and Randy Ostrow serve as producers. This will be Showtime and Strand Releasing's second collaboration -- the first being the theatrical release of Arthur Penn's highly acclaimed "Inside," which starred Nigel Hawthorne.
"Strand Releasing has been tracking this project since inception, from its short film version, 'Fishbelly White' to the development of the screenplay at the Sundance Institute's Filmmaker's Lab," says Marcus Hu, Co-President of Strand Releasing.
"Showtime is pleased to be working with Strand again to bring this unique and wonderful film to a theatrical audience," stated Robert Greenblatt, President of Entertainment for Showtime Networks.
The deal was negotiated between Jon Gerrans, Co-President of Strand Releasing, Peter Keramidas and David Stern of Showtime, and Jeremy Barber and Howard Cohen of UTA.
Duncan (Hirsch) and his mother had always seemed nothing short of unconventional, a shared personality trait that folks in their tiny farm town had whispered about. After Mrs. Mudge's untimely death, Duncan finds himself unable to part with her spirit. He mimics her voice, wears her fur coat to bed and carries her pet chicken with him everywhere. His father, Edgar, played by Richard Jenkins of "Six Feet Under," is offended by his bizarre behavior and becomes intent on laying down new rules and turning his coddled son into someone more masculine.
Unwittingly, Duncan makes himself the target of ridicule among the local teens. He finds a friend in Perry (Thomas Guiry), the oldest member of the "Townies." After convincing his friends to accept Duncan, bits of Perry's concealed personality surface, threatening to destroy their relationship when the lines between friendship and love become distorted.
"The Mudge Boy" was nominated for the prestigious Grand Jury Prize at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and was named one of 12 screenplays selected for the Sundance Institute January 2000 Filmmaker's Lab. The script was the American winner of the 2000 Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award and also received First Prize for the 2001 Richard Vague Grant.
Showtime Networks has been and continues to be a supporter of independent film. In the past, a number of films co-developed, co-produced and/or co- financed by the network have been successful in gaining theatrical release prior to their Showtime premiere, most notably "The House Of Mirth," Maya Angelou's directorial debut "Down In The Delta" and the Oscar(R)-winning film "Gods and Monsters." Other SHOWTIME films such as "Inside," "Blind Faith" and "Losing Chase," to name a few, have received theatrical distribution following their SHOWTIME premiere. "The Mudge Boy" is the second film from Showtime Independent Films to receive theatrical distribution, the first being "BAADASSSSS!," which was picked up for theatrical distribution by Sony Pictures Classics and is slated to be released in May 2004.
