The Hangover And Due Date Director Todd Phillips Lines Up Four New Movies

[BC Blog Poster]

Today's lesson is that being funny pays: Todd Phillips' first-look deal with Warner Bros has been extended following the success ofTheHangover Part II. It was a smash, bringing in $86 million during its opening weekend, and currently holds a gross of approximately $581 million worldwide.

Phillips' production company Green Hat Films first joined forces with Warner Bros in 2009 and their partnership has now been extended through 2013. A press release from Warner Bros has outlined the four films on Green Hat's development slate, any one of which could be Phillips' next engagement - though unfortunately, a full length version of the Ferris Bueller's Day Off mini-remake that he directed is not one of them.

The four projects in development are:

• Mule, based on Tony D?Souza's novel about a young couple who get involved in drug trafficking during the recession.
• Arms And The Dudes, based on a Rolling Stone article by Guy Lawson. Two stoners from Miami Beach become big-time arms dealers and draw in the attention of the Pentagon.
• The Island with an as-yet secret story by Travis Fickett and Terry Matalas, and a screenplay by Due Date's Adam Sztykiel.
• Million Dollar Strong based on the FunnyOrDie hit What?s It Gonna Be by Mike O?Connell and Ken Jeong. Mike O?Connell is co-writing the screenplay with Peter Kline

Quite a few films based on other works, and it's interesting that Phillips is not yet confirmed to direct any of them. We'll probably have to wait until Hangover 3 is be sure what his follow-up will be.

[Joe Kalicki]

The Hangover is the best movie he's ever made, and that speaks volumes about how I feel about his directing abilities.

[akachris]

Todd Phillips also produced the upcoming Project X movie to be released in March. Looks like The Hangover with teenagers.

[Brendon Connelly]

Todd Phillips also produced the upcoming Project X movie to be released in March. Looks like The Hangover with teenagers.

I have it on good authority that it is almost unwatchably dreadful. By which I mean, two film bloggers have told me so, and I chose to believe them.

[akachris]

I have it on good authority that it is almost unwatchably dreadful. By which I mean, two film bloggers have told me so, and I chose to believe them.

I never overestimate what the movie-going audience is willing to pay for. Plus I'm sure it's been test-screened and re-edited to make it bearable.