COME TO DADDY Acquired by Saban Films for US Distribution

A potential bonding opportunity between estranged father (Stephen McHattie) and son (Elijah Wood) takes a demented turn when some surprise visitors show up in Ant Timpson's feature-length directorial debut, Come to Daddy. Following its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival (in case you missed it, read Heather Wixson's four-star review) and ahead of its screening at the Overlook Film Festival, Come to Daddy has been acquired by Saban Films for US distribution.

A theatrical release for Come to Daddy is being planned, but an exact release date has yet to be announced. We'll keep Daily Dead readers updated on further details as they are revealed.

In the meantime, we have the full press release and previously released clip below, and in case you missed it, read Heather's Tribeca interview with Timpson and Wood.

From the Press Release: LOS ANGELES (May 17, 2019) – Saban Films announced today that they have acquired US rights to producer Ant Timpson’s directorial debut Come to Daddy, which made its World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival last month. The horror-comedy stars Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings franchise, “Wilfred”), Stephen McHattie (Watchmen, Mother!) and Martin Donovan (Ant-Man, “Big Little Lies”). Toby Harvard penned the script based on an idea from Timpson. The film is produced by Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall for Nowhere, Daniel Bekerman for Scythia Films, Katie Holly for Blinder Films, Emma Slade for Firefly Films, and Toby Harvard. Tango Entertainment financed the Canadian, New Zealand, Irish co-production with support from the New Zealand Film Commission, Telefilm, Blinder Films and Egg Post Production.

Come to Daddy follows a man in his thirties who travels to a remote cabin to reconnect with his estranged father. The film will be slated for a theatrical release.

Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley commented, “Come to Daddy’s horror and comedy mix is perfectly balanced and creates a wonderfully wild atmosphere that’ll keep audiences guessing - all the way through.”

Bill Bromiley and Jonathan Saba negotiated the deal for Saban Films along with Nate Bolotin of XYZ Films on behalf of the filmmakers. Jacqueline Nguyen and Alex Ordanis co-produced and executive producers are Timpson, Tim Headington and Lia Buman.

Saban Films remains active in the acquisition and distribution space, and recently announced their partnership with Kevin Smith’s highly-anticipated Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, coming on board from script stage for the sequel to the 2001 comedy Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Its upcoming slate includes: the heartfelt baseball drama Bottom of the 9th starring Joe Manganiello and Sofía Vergara; Casey Affleck’s directorial debut Light of My Life; The Professor starring Johnny Depp; Brian De Palma’s Domino starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau; and Derrick Borte’s American Dreamer starring Jim Gaffigan.

Saban Films continues to grow its presence in the industry, with successes that have run the gamut from critically acclaimed theatrical films such as The Homesman starring Hilary Swank, to one of the biggest Fathom events in 2016 with Rob Zombie’s horror thriller 31. Recent titles include: The Haunting of Sharon Tate starring Hilary Duff; Sarah Daggar-Nickson’s A Vigilante starring Olivia Wilde; James Marsh’s King of Thieves starring Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay and Michael Gambon; the anthology Berlin, I Love You with Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley and Jim Sturgess; the Gerard Butler starrer The Vanishing; Alexandre Moors’ The Yellow Birds starring Tye Sheridan, Alden Ehrenreich, Toni Collette, Jason Patric, Jack Huston and Jennifer Aniston; Eshom and Ian Nelms’ lauded feature Small Town Crime starring John Hawkes and Octavia Spencer; and Ivan Kavanagh’s Never Grow Old starring John Cusack and Emile Hirsch.