Mumbai: The Weinstein Company (TWC) have partnered with Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, and their managers Ben Feigin and Josh Klein to produce a concert movie to memorialize the comic duo’s reunion and first tour together in 25 years. The announcement was made by TWC executive vice president home entertainment Barry Gordon.
As part of the arrangement, TWC has worldwide theatrical, home video, digital and television rights. The feature-length program, which will portray a live concert experience of the Cheech & Chong: Light Up America tour, is expected to make a major TV premiere, followed by the DVD release. TWC International will handle foreign sales beginning at AFM this week.
"The Cheech and Chong Concert Movie will be an historic, must-experience event for the many fans that grew up listening to their recordings and watching their movies," said Gordon. "For the millions of new fans who have discovered Cheech and Chong over the years as cultural icons, this will be the first time many of them will be able to enjoy the artistry and one-of-kind magic that is Cheech and Chong live on stage. This is the comedy event of the decade."
"It’s great to get a chance to cap a long career with a show of where we are now," said Marin.
Chong stated, "I really like Harvey because he picked up my dinner tab."
Start of production and official release dates are to be announced.
Marin and Chong’s phenomenal success began on the stand-up comedy circuit and led to eight hit films and nine comedy albums, which garnered multiple Grammy nominations. The Cheech & Chong: Light Up America reunion tour officially kicked off on September 26 and has been selling out across the country. Many of the dates have needed to add multiple shows each night to meet demand. The tour will continue through 2009, and will bring the duo overseas to multiple continents.
Gordon and Eileen Rodriguez, director of acquisitions, negotiated on behalf of TWC. Ben Feigin of Anonymous Content, Josh Klein of The Group Management, Stan Coleman and Matthew Sugarman from the firm of Weissmann, Wolff, Bergman, Coleman, Grodin & Evall, and Josh Hiller negotiated on behalf of Marin and Chong. Feigin and Klein will executive produce the movie.
