London-based Carnaby Sales & Distribution has boarded Simon West’s action-comedy “Salty” as worldwide sales agent. West’s credits include “Con Air,” “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” and “Expendables 2.”
The production, which West describes as “The Hangover” meets “Get Him to the Greek,” is in final negotiations with an A-list cast and pre-sales have already been secured with distributors in several major territories, Carnaby said. Pic will start to shoot later this year.
The film follows an ageing rock star, and reformed sex addict, who is persuaded to take a holiday by his wife, a former supermodel. Things take a turn for the worse when she’s kidnapped by Thai pirates raising money to buy a new boat.
The screenplay, which is adapted from Mark Haskell Smith’s novel, is written by Haskell Smith (TV series “Star Trek Voyager” and “The Magnificent Seven”) and Toby Davies (“The Mitchell and Webb Look,” “Yonderland,” “Crackanory”).
“Salty” is produced by Harry Stourton (“Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”) and Jib Polhemus (“Con Air,” “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” “Expendables 2”). Deal was struck by Carnaby’s joint CEOs, Sean O’Kelly and Andrew Loveday, with West, Stourton and Polhemus for Simon West Prods. “Salty” partnered with equity crowdfunding platform SyndicateRoom to offer retail investors the chance to own a stake in the film.
West said: “‘Salty’ is a wonderful mixture of comedy, action and exotic locations. Films of this type like ‘The Hangover’ and ‘Bridesmaids’ are perfect examples of how popular this genre can be. I am going to shoot this film in a style that will exude energy, fun and glamour.
He added: “The story should work on several levels. The ironic humor and witty dialogue will be very appealing to U.S. and English-speaking audiences but I also think the film will travel very well to all other markets. I intend to shoot elaborate and exciting action sequences very much in the vein of my previous films and like those projects I intend to cast the movie with the best acting talent out there.”