Sony Pictures Classics Keeps the Sundance Momentum Going with Jon Hamm, John Slattery, and Zoey Deutch in ‘Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass’
Sony Pictures Classics Acquires New Comedy at Sundance Film Festival
Sony Pictures Classics has announced its acquisition of the global rights to the comedy film Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, directed by David Wain. This marks the studio’s fourth purchase from the Sundance Film Festival this year.
The deal was arranged in collaboration with WME Independent, representing the filmmakers. Reports indicate that the film received substantial interest, with approximately seven offers from various studios, including Paramount/Republic Pictures, Lionsgate, and Vertical.
In addition to Gail Daughtry, Sony Pictures Classics has also secured rights to other Sundance films, including Stephanie Ahn’s Bedford Park, Josef Kubota Wladyka’s Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty, and Noah Segan’s crime thriller The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.
Set entirely in Los Angeles, Gail Daughtry stars Jon Hamm and John Slattery, both known for their roles in Mad Men, alongside Zoey Deutch, Ken Marino, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Ben Wang, Joe Lo Truglio, and Sabrina Impacciatore.
The storyline follows small-town hairdresser Gail Daughtry, who becomes distraught after her fiancé Tom sleeps with a “celebrity pass” during a book signing. Seeking to reclaim her power, Gail teams up with her friend Otto and embarks on a comedic odyssey through Los Angeles, entangled with celebrities and pursued by Italian assassins.
Wain, known for his work on Wet Hot American Summer and Role Models, co-wrote the film with Marino. Following its Sundance premiere, Gail Daughtry has received positive feedback, earning a 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
“I think we’re all hungry to have more movies in theaters that are designed to provide laughter and joy, first and foremost — and I can’t wait for audiences to experience this very first chapter in the GDU (Gail Daughtry Universe)!” Wain stated.
Producer Crystine Zhang expressed her gratitude, noting, “To have our film embraced by Sony Pictures Classics, a company that has championed visionary filmmakers for decades, is incredibly special. I am deeply grateful for their passion and support and excited to work together on this.”
Sony Pictures Classics praised Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass as “the most hilarious comedy we have seen in ages,” highlighting its impressive cast. “In a time when audiences need to smile, David Wain has delivered an entertainment that will have audiences’ cheeks hurting from all their laughs,” they added.
The production team includes Anthony Bregman, Peter Cron, Marino, Wain, Zhang, and Charles Zhong. The film’s executive producers are Robert Herjavec, Chechen Dong, Tom Griffin, Amanda Chang, Adrian Politowski, Jamie Canniffe, Franny Baldwin, Deutch, Hamm, and Slattery.
Notable crew members also include cinematographer Kevin Atkinson, production designer Justin Lieb, editor John Daigle, costume designer Bryn Carter, and composer Craig Wedren.
