What happens when a Counting Crow meets Broken Lizard?
We’re about to find out, for Counting Crows frontman, Adam Duritz – he of the nasal whine, dreadlocks and inexplicably high hit ratio with the female cast of Friends – has signed on to produce Freeloaders, the new film from the American comedy troupe.
And that’s not the only rock’n’roll connection – Gigolo Aunts lead singer Dave Gibbs co-wrote the screenplay, along with Dan Rosen, who will direct. And a quick perusal of the plot will tell you why – it’s about a group of freeloaders (five guys, one girl) who sponge off a rock singer in his massive mansion. When he decides to sell up, their carefree existence is plunged into doubt – and, clearly, something must be done.
Curiously, neither Rosen, Gibbs or Duritz are members of Broken Lizard – the troupe that comprises Erik Stolhanske, Paul Soter, Steve Lemme, Kevin Heffernan, and Dukes Of Hazzard director Jay Chandrasekhar – which suggests that the guys are merely acting in this one, unlike Super Troopers, Club Dread and Beerfest, over which they exerted creative control.
They’re currently in post-production on Slammin’ Salmon. Shooting will start on Freeloaders in January.