Major Acquisition by Sony Pictures
EXCLUSIVE: Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has secured all international rights to the Sundance horror sensation Buddy in a competitive and lucrative deal reportedly in the mid-seven figures.
Sources indicate that Sony emerged victorious against several contenders to obtain the rights to Buddy, marking the first feature film directed by Casper Kelly, known for his work on Too Many Cooks.
The film, which debuted in the Midnight section of this year’s Sundance Film Festival, has achieved remarkable success at the box office, grossing $26.5 million domestically. This makes it the top earner among this year’s Sundance films domestically, slightly surpassing The Invite. Remarkably, the film was produced on a budget of less than $5 million.
In the United States, the film was distributed by Roadside and Saban, and fans can look forward to a special sing-along version that will be shown in theaters this coming weekend.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
The film features a notable ensemble cast including Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Topher Grace, Keegan-Michael Key, Michael Shannon, and Patton Oswalt. The screenplay was co-written by Casper Kelly and Jamie King, with Kelly also serving as the director.
The plot centers around Buddy, a vibrant orange unicorn who was once the star of a beloved children’s TV show, known for bringing joy and important life lessons into homes. Set within the cheerful show “It’s Buddy!”, a group of children engage in singing, dancing, and assisting Buddy in spreading cheer. However, tension arises when one child starts to resist participating, unveiling cracks in their seemingly idyllic existence.
Buddy is produced by BoulderLight Pictures, known for Weapons, and Low Spark Films, which previously produced Emily The Criminal. The film is also a collaborative effort with Sipur Studios and Substance.
The deal was brokered by UTA Independent Film Group and Range Media Partners, who represented the filmmakers during the negotiations.
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