Peyton Elizabeth Lee to Headline New American Comedy ‘Second First Date’ by Writer Matt Sacca
American High Teams Up with Peyton Elizabeth Lee for ‘Second First Date’
American High, known for its recent success with the comedy Pizza Movie, is set to collaborate once again with co-star Peyton Elizabeth Lee for a new film titled Second First Date. The film, which Lee will also produce, features a screenplay penned by Matt Sacca, a key figure in American High’s creative team.
Second First Date is an R-rated comedy built on an original concept by American High founder Jeremy Garelick. It follows the story of Nora (portrayed by Lee), a high school student disillusioned with romance. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Charlie, the boy of her dreams, at an unforgettable house party. The plot thickens when Charlie suffers a concussion and forgets their evening together, prompting Nora to enlist her best friend, Hailey, to recreate the chaotic party in hopes of winning Charlie’s heart once more.
In addition to her acting role, Lee will produce under her banner, Prince Hobo Productions, alongside Garelick and Ben Frahm, known for his work on How to Train Your Dragon.
The development of Second First Date began during a "Script-to-Screen" course at Syracuse University in Spring 2019, where Garelick first pitched the idea. The course, facilitated by Garelick and Frahm, enabled students like Sacca, Fallon Siegler, and Daniel Walters to craft the original draft while gaining invaluable experience in professional script development.
Frahm continues to be involved in the project, meeting regularly with Sacca, who was American High’s first intern and has since become integral to the company’s development pipeline. Sacca’s contributions have helped expand the company’s reach to over 100 universities and foster emerging talent through its Academy and internship programs.
Reflecting on his journey, Sacca recalled meeting Garelick nine years ago before American High had produced any films. “He showed off a splashy sizzle reel featuring iconic John Hughes scenes… and let the work speak for itself,” Sacca said, emphasizing the long-term collaboration that has led to this project.
Garelick praised Sacca’s understanding of the film’s tone and audience, stating, "He’s proven he can take notes, implement feedback, and deliver an inventive, hilarious story we’re proud to share with the world." He also highlighted Lee’s suitability for the lead role, praising her comedic talent and production skills.
Lee’s recent work includes the Hulu horror film Carved and Disney+’s Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. She has also lent her voice to the upcoming animated feature Wildwood from Laika. Lee is represented by Gersh, Artists First, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.
Founded by Garelick in 2017, American High specializes in bold teen comedies and operates from a converted school in Syracuse, New York. With 22 features to its name—including Big Time Adolescence, The Binge, and Plan B—the company is also recognized for its educational initiatives. Through its nonprofit Academy at American High, more than 1,000 students have been trained for careers in film, tech, and media, including the Script-to-Screen program that immerses students in the studio’s development process.
