LOS ANGELES and STAMFORD, Conn. – Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment, Image Nation Abu Dhabi and WWE Studios announced that they are joining up again to co-produce a comedy with the working title “Untitled Celebrity Death Pool.” Ken Jeong (“The Hangover,” “Community”) has signed on to star in the satire, which centers on a struggling nightclub owner whom, after amassing a large debt from a loan shark, sets out to win his long-running celebrity death pool by attempting to kill his chosen celebrity, David Hasselhoff. Darren Grant (“Diary of a Mad Black Woman”) will direct from a script written by Peter Hoare.
In addition to Hasselhoff, an increasing number of other celebrities have signed on for various supporting roles and cameo appearances. Pre-production for the film commences this September in Los Angeles, with a theatrical release anticipated for 2015.
WWE Studios President Michael Luisi and Hyde Park’s Amritraj are producing the picture along with Hasselhoff, Michele Berk, Patrick Hughes and Warren Zide. Eric Gardner is Executive Producing. Hyde Park International will handle international sales with WWE Studios set to leverage its extensive multi-platform reach to promote the film.
Bradley Buchanan, SVP of Business Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of WWE Studios and Allen Babakhanloo, VP of Business Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of Hyde Park Entertainment.
Jeong is currently shooting "Ride Along 2" with Ice Cube and Kevin Hart for Universal Pictures.