Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films and Rivulet Films are teaming up again for a pickleball comedy titled “The Dink.” The film will star Jake Johnson, Mary Steenburgen, and Ed Harris.
Stiller and former tennis champion Andy Roddick will also have significant roles.
Josh Greenbaum (known for MGM’s upcoming Spaceballs sequel and Will & Harper) will direct the film, based on an original screenplay by Sean Clements (from Workaholics and Kevin Can F**k Himself).
The plot follows a washed-up tennis pro (Johnson) who, in a desperate attempt to save a struggling tennis club and earn his father’s approval, must reluctantly break a lifelong vow and take up the sport of pickleball.
Cameras roll this November in LA.
John Lesher and Ben Stiller are producing the film through their Red Hour Films banner, alongside Rob Paris and Mike Witherill from Rivulet. Jake Johnson will also serve as a producer.
Stiller and Rivulet’s most recent collaboration, “Nutcrackers”
directed by David Gordon Green, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was subsequently sold to Hulu for a significant sum. Rivulet will fully finance this new production, and Rick Steele, the company’s senior strategic advisor, will serve as an executive producer alongside Sean Clements and Josh Greenbaum.
Josh Greenbaum, a renowned director, screenwriter, and producer known for his work on adult comedies like “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” and “Strays,” is also directing “The Dink.” His documentary, “Will & Harper,” which follows Will Ferrell and Harper Steele on a road trip, is a strong contender for awards this season and will be released on Netflix on September 27th.
Sean Clements’ feature film debut as a screenwriter is with “The Dink.”
Jake Johnson is represented by UTA and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein. Ben Stiller is represented by WME and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Mary Steenburgen is represented by UTA, Entertainment 360 and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman. Ed Harris is represented by CAA and Ziffren Brittenham. Andy Roddick is represented by WME. Josh Greenbaum is represented by UTA, Entertainment 360, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark. Sean Clements is represented by UTA and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.
