Crackle Lands ‘Joe Dirt 2′ Sequel, Produced by Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Prods has set up a sequel to comedy “Joe Dirt” at Crackle.
Sony’s streaming service already has a film based on video game franchise “Dead Rising” upcoming from Legendary Entertainment, and the new deal for “Joe Dirt 2,” signals that the streaming service is ramping up its efforts to raise its profile as a platform that can compete with the likes of Netflix with original movies.
Those movies are turning out to be more genre fare.
Crackle is hyping “Joe Dirt 2″ as the first made-for-digital sequel to a major motion picture, with David Spade set to return as the redneck with a mullet.
“David Spade had a fresh and unique vision for ‘Joe Dirt 2’ that he could have brought anywhere and we couldn’t be happier that he brought it to Crackle for a first-of-its-kind, worldwide release,” said Eric Berger, Crackle’s general manager and Sony’s executive VP of digital networks. “The original film has been a longtime viewer favorite, ranking among the most viewed in our library, and we decided to produce and distribute the sequel as a feature for fans everywhere.”
Columbia Pictures released the first film in 2001, with the $17.7 million-budgeted comedy earning $27 million. The budget for the sequel is likely to be far less.
Fred Wolf is co-writing, directing and executive producing the sequel, with production starting in November in Louisiana.
Crackle will release “Joe Dirt 2″ on all of its platforms in 2015.
“I’m beyond stoked that ‘Joe Dirt’ will finally hit the screens again on Crackle,” Spade said. “I’ve been sleeping in this wig for years and it will be nice to wear it in the daytime again.”
The deal with Crackle comes shortly after Happy Madison set up a four-film pact with Netflix for original comedies.
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