Los Angeles, CA — May 13, 2020 — Village Roadshow Pictures has tapped filmmaker Mark Duplass to helm the upcoming film adaptation of David Grossman’s 2017 Man Booker International Prize-winning novel A HORSE WALKS INTO A BAR. Village Roadshow will produce with Veritas Entertainment Group. Jillian Apfelbaum is overseeing the project for Village Roadshow and Bob Bookman, Alan Gasmer and Peter Jaysen are producing for Veritas Entertainment Group.
Grossman’s searing short novel is about the life of a stand-up comic, as revealed in the course of one evening’s performance. In the dance between comic and audience, with barbs flying back and forth, a deeper story begins to take shape – one that alters the lives of many of those in attendance and leads to a series of candid and chilling revelations about his past. Grossman is represented by The Deborah Harris Agency.
Duplass is an award-winning director, actor and producer. Mark first gained recognition in the early 2000’s for writing, directing and producing several acclaimed independent and studio films with his brother Jay, including “The Puffy Chair,” “Baghead,” “Cyrus,” and “Jeff, Who Lives at Home.” On the television side, Mark and Jay have created three critically acclaimed television series for HBO: “Togetherness” (in which Mark also starred),” Room 104″ and “Animals.” Mark and Jay also produced the Emmy-award winning docuseries “Wild Wild Country.”
As an actor, Mark has appeared in a wide range of film and television projects including the new Apple+ series “The Morning Show” in which he stars alongside Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. He was also seen last year in “Bombshell” opposite Charlize Theron. He is represented by ICM Partners.
About Village Roadshow Pictures and Television
Village Roadshow Pictures and Television is a leading independent producer and financier of major Hollywood motion pictures, having co-produced and co-financed over 100 films grossing $19 billion at the global box office since its establishment in 1998; including the OCEANS franchise and THE MATRIX franchise, including the fourth installment of the saga that recently began production in February. Their most recent film in conjunction with Warner Bros., JOKER, won two Academy Awards® and was nominated for nine others, and has grossed over $1B worldwide to date. Under its new leadership by Vine Alternative Investments, Village Roadshow Entertainment Group diversified its portfolio to include financing and producing projects across multiple formats including film, television and digital.