Following the recent overhaul of Anchor Bay Entertainment, the visionary duo behind the company, Thomas Zambeck and Brian Katz, have made the first major announcement that marks a new chapter for their rejuvenated enterprise: the acquisition of the exclusive North American rights to the upcoming horror/comedy, Crust.
Directed by actor-turned writer/director Sean Whalen (The People Under The Stairs, Twister, Idle Hands), who co-wrote the film with Jim Wald, Crust stars Whalen, Daniel Roebuck (Rob Zombie’s The Munsters), Rebekah Kennedy (Two Witches), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Ricky Dean Logan (Back to the Future II and III) with Shawntay Dalon (“Detroiters”) and Alan Ruck (“Succession”).
The film follows Vegas Winters (Whalen) who once charmed audiences as a darling child actor, but those days have long faded, and depression has taken their place. Having lost the glitz of stardom for the humbler existence of owning a dilapidated laundromat, this is not the life he had dreamed of, but it’s where he finds solace in the somewhat odd routine of collecting the lost socks left behind in the washers and dryers and using them to soak up all of his bodily fluids. One night his tears of anguish turn the pile into a loving sock monster named Crust who becomes his protector and friend. Meanwhile he has a new girlfriend, a paranormal investigator poking around, and an old two-faced costar that is forcing him to join a reboot of their 90s sitcom. As Vegas’s life begins to spiral, Crust eliminates his enemies with dire results.
Commenting on the acquisition, Whalen said, “”I am so excited that my directorial debut found its home at Anchor Bay … I’ve loved their films for years and they really understood my vision right away. I couldn’t ask for a better partnership.”
Zambeck added, “As someone who grew up watching Sean on screen, I am thrilled to be in business with him … The fact that it’s on a witty and clever film like this – one that displays such a mastery of tone – makes it so much sweeter. I can’t wait for audiences to take this oddball journey with us and see a movie unlike anything they’ve seen before.”
The film was produced by Rose, Daniel John Kearney (Dark Circles), and Chris Sergi (I’m Just Fu*king With You). Sergi negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers with Zambeck at Anchor Bay.
Both Zambeck and Katz are currently in Berlin to acquire additional titles for Anchor Bay Entertainment.
