EXCLUSIVE: Colin Teague is signed on to direct Esaaf (working title), a debut Saudi Arabian comedy function from native star Ibrahim Al Hajjaj and former MBC Studios boss Peter Smith.
The movie, which is at the moment taking pictures on location, follows two incompetent paramedics utterly out of their depth, who unwittingly change into embroiled in a kidnapping plot. It marks the debut movie of Al Hajjaj’s Home of Comedy and Talal Anazi’s Black Gentle operations. The 2 corporations will collectively personal the rights, with Smith onboard as an government producer.
BAFTA nominee Teague isn’t any stranger to Saudi manufacturing, having directed the Tony Jordan-penned MBC Studios collection Rashash and one other big-budget Jordan drama, The Satan’s Promise two years in the past. He’s generally known as the primary individual to direct episodes of Physician Who and spin-off Torchwood and has credit for The White Queen, Being Human and Da Vinci’s Demons.
Smith, in the meantime, who exited MBC Studios in 2022, has a manufacturing alliance with Home of Comedy and Black Gentle, which have been set as much as push into comedy function movies in Saudi. Esaaf (English title Ambulance) is their debut movie.
Alberto Lopez developed the undertaking with Home of Comedy and wrote the script. The British screenwriter penned Mubi’s 2021 Billy Zane-starrer Rupture, which was produced out of Saudi and directed by Hamzah Jamjoom.
Al Hajjaj is greatest recognized for Sattar, a comedy set on this planet of wrestling that had a record-breaking run art the Saudi box office in 2023. He’s additionally a well-liked humorist, and initially arrange Home of Comedy to supervise his stage performances.
“As Home of Comedy and Black Gentle embark on our inaugural manufacturing, we sought an idea that’s trendy, genuine and genuinely humorous,” Al Hajjaj advised Deadline. “Esaaf resonated with us from the early levels of improvement with Alberto Lopez, because it actually encompasses all these components.”
Al Hajjaj, Smith and Anazi plan to launch between one and two comedy movies and collection for the Saudi market every year, with the previous saying this is able to “contribute considerably to the style” within the Center Japanese nation.
“The success of my earlier movie, Sattar, which ranks because the highest-grossing movie of all time in Saudi Arabia— surpassing worldwide hits like The Batman, Joker,” and Despicable Me — demonstrates the rising urge for food for comedy amongst Saudi audiences. We’re lucky to create content material that resonates with our native viewers, presenting a singular alternative to be a part of this quickly increasing market.”
Former NBCUniversal Worldwide President Smith advised Deadline Esaaf is “a extremely humorous Saudi Arabic comedy that can hopefully shake up the market,” including: “It’s like a Unhealthy Boys or Rush Hour on the fraction of the price range.”
Distribution plans are being finalized, however the makers are eyeing to launch the movie in April subsequent 12 months. “Right here, the field workplace remains to be rising,” stated Smith, speaking to Deadline through WhatsApp whereas on location. “The market is rising and there’s a actual urge for food for Arabic content material. We’re hoping we created one thing that may go toe-to-toe with some other movie out there.”
Teague is represented by Impartial Expertise and Gersh.
