Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Feb 1, 2015 20:50:03 GMT -6
variety.com/2015/digital/news/sidekick-digital-release-rob-benedict-lizzy-caplan-1201417538/
Rob Benedict, Lizzy Caplan Superhero Short ‘The Sidekick’ Gets Digital Release
Superhero tales are the genre du jour, but a new short film offers a very different perspective on the caped trend. Star-studded short “The Sidekick” will debut on iTunes, Amazon and Vimeo-On-Demand beginning February 3, Variety has learned exclusively. The comedy will also make its streaming debut on Hulu in March.
The project, which stars Rob Benedict and Lizzy Caplan, centers around 40-year-old professional sidekick Max McCabe (Benedict), now past his prime and forced out of the fast-paced superhero world. When he is abruptly fired by his boss, the epic Captain Wonder (Ron Livingston), and replaced by a younger, quicker right-hand man, Kid Loco (Jason Ritter), Max has no choice but to somehow find a place for himself in the civilian world. With the help of his newfound friend (Caplan), Max finds the courage to re-evaluate his life and find a new purpose. Jordan Peele, Martin Starr, Sam McMurray, Ike Barinholtz, Josh Meyers, Laura Silverman and Fred Stoller round out the cast.
The short, written by Benedict and directed by Michael J. Weithorn (“The King of Queens,” “Weird Loners”), made its world premiere at Comic-Con in 2013 before embarking upon a nationwide festival run.
“Quite honestly, we’re overwhelmed with the high praise that our short continues to receive,” Benedict said . “With superheroes more prevalent in the pop culture zeitgeist than ever before, it’s nice to give the sidekick a little attention!”
“When Rob and I set out to make his small, funny and personal film for $75,000, we never imagined we would wind up assembling a cast comprised of some of the greatest, most respected comedic actors in the world,” said Weithorn. “From day one, this project was an absolute thrill — we can’t wait for it to make its digital debut.”