National Lampoon Inc. today announced plans for its next in-house feature production, National Lampoon’s Ratko: The Dictator’s Son, and the signing of Savage Steve Holland (Better Off Dead, How I Got Into College) to direct the picture.
The announcement was made by National Lampoon chief executive officer Daniel Laikin.
“This is an exciting project for National Lampoon. It appeals to our core audience and follows in the footsteps of our college comedies of the past,” stated Laikin. “It’s films like this, and people like Savage Steve Holland, that we look for as we continue to build our feature library.”
“Ratko” is a fish-out-of-water-story, the tale of a dictator’s son who heads to America to attend college. National Lampoon’s Ratko: The Dictator’s Son was written by Robert Mittenthal (Cry Baby Lane) and Michael Rubiner (Rootboy) and is co-produced by InterMedia and produced in association with Cinetel Films. The film is produced by Barry Layne. InterMedia’s Scott Kroopf (The Last Samurai, Runaway Bride) is executive producer. For Cinetel, Lisa Hanson is executive producer, Bill Berry is co-producer and Paul Hertzberg is producer.
“Ratko” follows National Lampoon’s Bagboy, the first feature to be produced and financed in-house by National Lampoon in the company’s 35 plus year history. “Bagboy,” directed by Mort Nathan, stars Dennis Farina, Brooke Shields, Richard Kind, Larry Miller, Paul Campbell, Marika Dominczyk, Robert Hoffman, Josh Dean, Wesley Jonathan, Nick Lashaway, Bruce Altman and Lisa Darr.
National Lampoon’s Ratko: The Dictator’s Son will receive theatrical distribution through National Lampoon Releasing and National Lampoon Home Entertainment is handling DVD and related platforms.
National Lampoon Releasing plans to release up to twelve titles per year comprised of four original movies and up to eight acquisitions. Distribution will be handled independently by National Lampoon with some titles having broader distribution in partnership with major studios.
