Archstone Entertainment has acquired international rights to “American Dreamer,” a dark comedy starring Peter Dinklage, Shirley MacLaine, Kim Quinn, Matt Dillon and Danny Glover. Paul Dektor (“Frayed”) directs a script written by Theodore Melfi (“Hidden Figures”).
The movie is based on a true story from Chicago Public Radio’s ”This American Life” and follows Dr. Phil Loder (Dinklage), a low-level adjunct professor of economics at Harvard, whose grand dream of owning a home is tragically out of reach — until an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes his way when a lonely, childless, near-death widow (MacLaine) offers Phil her sprawling estate for pennies. But Phil quickly learns the deal is too good to be true.
Dinklage is best known for his work on “Game of Thrones.” MacLaine won an Oscar for “Terms of Endearment” and starred in “The Apartment” and “Postcards From the Edge.” Dillon’s credits include “Crash” and “There’s Something about Mary.” Glover starred in the “Lethal Weapon” series. And Quinn appeared in “Hidden Figures” and “The Starling.”
“American Dreamer” is produced by Dinklage and David Ginsberg’s Estuary Films, Melfi and Quinn‘s Goldenlight Films, Paul Dektor of Dektor Films, Toyo Shimano and executive produced by Kevin Root.
“Working with such an incredible cast was a true honor. Watching Shirley and Pete work together was a master class, they’re captivating in every scene and created a timeless story that we hope will connect with audiences around the world,” said Dektor.
“Peter Dinklage and Shirley MacLaine are brilliant in this funny and delightful film. We are thrilled to be teaming up with Paul and Ted and the rest of the team on ‘American Dreamer’ and presenting it to the international market,” said Archstone co-founder Scott Martin.
Vertical will release “American Dreamer” theatrically and on-demand in the U.S. on March 8.
Founded by Martin and Michael Slifkin as a sales and production company, Archstone Entertainment’s additional films include the coming-of-age “Adam The First” starring David Duchovny, which is getting a wide theatrical release later this month, and their recently produced “The Best Man” starring Luke Wilson, released earlier this year through Saban.
