Buffalo Film Company has announced it will produce the comedy Micronations, which will star Jack Black (The D Train, Goosebumps). Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite, Don Verdean, Masterminds) will direct the film, reuniting with Black after their successful collaboration on Paramount Pictures’ Nacho Libre. The screenplay was written by “New Girl” writers Robert Snow and Christian Magalhaes. Brandt Andersen, Dave Hunter and Hess are producing the film under their newly-launched banner Buffalo Film Company. Jack Black’s company, Electric Dynamite, and Damon Ross (Nacho Libre) will also produce.
In Micronations, a lovable oddball finds a place to belong among the bizarre and ridiculous world of “do-it-yourself countries,” inhabited by a motley crew of eccentrics and visionaries who have declared their own backyards sovereign nations…or “micronations.” He soon finds himself recruited as Head of Defense for the tiny nation of Valoria (population: 12), and is thrust into an overblown battle with neighboring nation, Wayne County, Nevada.
“Once I learned that there were people within the United States who have created their very own countries, I knew I had to make a movie about them,” says director Jared Hess. “Jack and I have been looking for another project to team up on, and the hilarious world of ‘Micronations’ spoke to both of us.”
“After knowing and working with each other for several years, a production partnership made perfect sense. Buffalo Film Company combines financing, production and creative direction, giving us a multi-faceted approach to filmmaking,” says Buffalo Film’s Brandt Andersen. “Jared is able to create unique worlds out of places we might otherwise overlook. One of his best collaborations was with Jack Black in ‘Nacho Libre’ so we are very excited to get them back together for ‘Micronations.'”
Hess’ next film Masterminds, starring Kristen Wiig and Zack Galifianakis, will be released by Relativity on August 7. He is also attached to direct Walt Disney Pictures’ Overnight on 42nd Street.
Black is represented by WME and Hess by UTA.
Micronations will be the second collaborative project for Andersen, Hunter and Hess under the Buffalo Film Company. The partnership’s first film, Don Verdean, was written and directed by Hess. The film world premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 28 and was acquired by Lionsgate.
