Michael Maxxis To Direct Dramatic Comedy Puppy Love; Principal Photography Set to Begin

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Category: Entertainment News

Published on Friday, 17 March 2017 08:38

Michael Maxxis (Kygo, Elle King) is set to direct his original screenplay Puppy Love, starring Hopper Penn (The Last Face) alongside Paz de la Huerta (Boardwalk Empire) Michael Madsen (The Hateful Eight, Reservoir Dogs), Donald Cerrone (UFC Fighter), Rosanna Arquette (Pulp Fiction).

Colleen Camp (American Hustle), three time Grammy nominated recording artist Elle King and Mickey Avalon (The Hangover, "Entourage") will also appear in the dramatic comedy, in addition to an extended cameo by Wayne Newton (Vegas Vacation, License to Kill, Ford Fairlane). David Michaels (Surveillance, The Eleventh, Sold) will produce alongside George Parra (Nebraska, American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook) and Nicolette Saina (100 Days in the Jungle), with Sam Osman executive producing and financing under Film Alberta Studios.

Puppy Love is based on a true story following a year in the life of Morgan Fairchild, a young man who marches to the distant sound of his own offbeat drum. It's a year that sees him fall in love with Carla, a homeless woman he meets through his older brother Danny. It's an account given by Morgan himself, depicting night after night patrolling the streets in his car, looking for and meeting up with Carla. As dysfunctional as it is, the relationship grows and develops into something kind, endearing and beautiful even in their otherwise odd circumstances. Principal photography on the film is set to begin on March 20th in Edmonton, Canada.

Writer/Director Michael Maxxis said "I've always been fascinated by my cousin Morgan's peculiar logic and the purity in which he sees the world. The opportunity to make a film about him and his equally eccentric brother Danny with such a talented cast and crew backing my ambition is beyond anything I could have ever imagined." 

Producer David Michaels said "If Hunter S. Thompson wrote the screenplay for Napoleon Dynamite, it would have resulted in Puppy Love. I immediately knew this was the film in which I could invest my most precious relationships. I'm simply grateful that Maxxis invited me to ride shotgun on his personal acid trip."

Executive Producer/Financier Sam Osman said "I wanted to back this film because of Maxxis' creative genius. The film has attracted quality talent because of his unique style and raw edgy real-life dramatization. My objective is to create a niche where we will develop the infrastructure to produce world-class films on a cost-effective basis. Meaning: quality producers and actors will share in a significant piece of the pie."

This eclectic ensemble of actors was brought together by casting director Jory Weitz (Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre), who will also serve as an executive producer.

World-class cinematographer Larry Smith (Only God Forgives, Elizabeth I, Eyes Wide Shut) has come on board as director of photography. The movie's sound will be designed by Academy Award-winning Lon Bender (The Revenant, Drive) and Emmy Award-winner Kim Ayers ("American Horror Story," There Will Be Blood, Pirates of the Caribbean) will serve as key make-up artist.

Grammy Award-winning record producer Butch Vig (Foo Fighters, Green Day, Nirvana) is assembling a soundtrack album. The album will be executive produced by Chris Taylor for eOne Music who will be distributing worldwide while eOne Music Publishing VP, Sean Mulligan will serve as music supervisor. The score will be composed by renown musician Kurt Vile who will also contribute to the soundtrack album. Wayne Newton, Elle King, and Mickey Avalon will also collaborate with Vig.

Puppy Love marks Maxxis' first narrative feature film following his success in the music video and commercial worlds, where he has directed over 100 music videos and commercials. His directorial slate includes music videos for Elle King, Kygo, Billy Talent, and City and Colour, and commercial projects for Molson Canadian, the Edmonton Oilers, and The Olympic Games.

Hopper Penn is an up-and-coming actor, known for his roles in the short films Back in the Game, The Men of Santa Muerte and Endings, Inc. Last year he appeared in his first feature-length film The Last Face, alongside Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem, and will be seen later this year in David Michôd's War Machine alongside Brad Pitt and Tilda Swinton.

Paz de la Huerta is known for roles in the TV series "Boardwalk Empire," and has an array of film credits including Enter the Void, Riding in Cars with Boys and The Cider House Rules. Michael Madsen's career spans 25 years and more than 170 films including The Hateful Eight, Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Kill Bill: Vol. 2, Sin City, Die Another Day, Thelma & Louise, and most notably Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. Donald Cerrone is a high-ranking UFC fighter who has appeared in television series including "Justified" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Rosanna Arquette has acted extensively in film and television, with her most notable roles including Showtime's "Ray Donovan," Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, Lovesong, Frank & Lola and can be seen later this year in James Cox's Billionaire Boys Club. Colleen Camp is a beloved veteran actress who's been featured in dozens of iconic films ranging from American Hustle to Apocalypse Now.

Pop, blues, and rock'n'roll singer Elle King is best known for her hit single "Ex's & Oh's", which was nominated for 2 Grammy Awards and 2 Billboard Music Awards, and she made chart history, becoming the second female artist in 18 years to reach #1 at Alternative Radio.  She was nominated for her third Grammy Award with Dierks Bentley for Best Country Duo or Group for their #1 hit "Different for Girls." Mickey Avalon is a rapper known for his performances in titles including The Hangover and We're the Millers, and the television series "Entourage." Kurt Vile is a singer-songwriter known both for his solo work and as the former lead guitarist of rock band The War on Drugs. Wayne Newton is a singer and entertainer, with well-known songs including "Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast", "Years", "Red Roses for a Blue Lady" and "Danke Schoen", which was notably used in the score for Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Penn is represented by ICM Partners, de la Huerta by TCA/Jed Root, Madsen by BR Talent and Special Artists Agency, Arquette by TalentWorks and Ellen Meyer Management, Cerrone by KHI Management, Camp by the Gersh Agency, King by Paradigm Talent Agency, Avalon by Avid Exposure, and Newton by ICM Partners.