Daisy Ridley and Alden Ehrenreich Star in New Romantic Comedy ‘The Last Resort’ at Cannes Market, Voltage Teams Up for Sales; Vertical Pursues U.S. Rights
EXCLUSIVE: Voltage Pictures and Vertical have secured worldwide rights to the romantic comedy The Last Resort, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Alden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park), and Tia Carrere (Wayne’s World).
Voltage will oversee international sales and screenings at the upcoming Cannes market, while Vertical plans to release the film domestically in 2027.
Directed by Donald Petrie (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), The Last Resort is based on a screenplay by Karen McCullah (Legally Blonde).
The film was filmed on location in the Philippines, telling the story of a driven New York hotel executive (Ridley) who travels to the islands to evaluate a luxury resort site. However, an unexpected romance with an expatriate pilot (Ehrenreich) compels her to rethink her priorities.
The cast also features Vondie Curtis-Hall (Die Hard 2), Beck Bennett (Superman), and Jo Koy (Haunted Mansion).
Produced by Asia Pacific Films, the project was led by Ernesto “Bong” Sta. Maria Jr. (Rosario) and Raja Collins (True Memoirs of an International Assassin), with co-producers Simon Heo, Akshay Mehta, Rick Dugdale, Lope Juban Jr., JoAnn Bañaga, and Nikolo Juban. The film is executive-produced and fully financed by Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of the MVP Group of Companies in the Philippines.
The acquisition deal was negotiated by Nicolas Chartier on behalf of Voltage, Jarowey and SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi for Vertical, and CAA Media Finance along with Gersh for the filmmakers.
Producers Ernesto “Bong” Sta. Maria Jr. and Raja Collins remarked, “Donald has a real instinct for finding the heart in these kinds of stories, and Karen writes characters that feel honest and lived-in. Bringing them together on The Last Resort felt like a natural fit for the kind of romantic story we wanted to tell.”
Alexandra Cocean, President of Global Sales and Distribution at Voltage Pictures, emphasized that The Last Resort merges globally recognized talent with visually stunning cinematography showcasing the Philippines as both a character and a setting. “It’s the kind of romantic comedy that connects with audiences looking for both escapism and emotion,” she noted.
Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Donald and Karen represent a rare and proven pedigree in the romantic comedy space, with a track record that includes some of the genre’s most enduring titles. We’re excited to bring their first collaboration to audiences, elevated further by the pairing of Daisy Ridley and Alden Ehrenreich. The Last Resort is a standout addition to our slate, and we’re proud to be releasing it in the U.S. next year.”
