Film Mode Entertainment (FME) and producers Craig Berenson and J. Todd Harris announce the new crime comedy Too Many Crooks written by Eddie Richey (Phoenix) and starring William H. Macy (Fargo, Shameless). FME is launching the film at AFM where it will have its world market premiere and be introduced to distributors from across the globe.
Directed by Raja Gosnell (Never Been Kissed, Big Momma’s House, Scooby Doo), produced by Craig Berenson (Snakes on a Plane) and Todd Harris (Chicago 7,) and executive produced by William H. Macy and Clay Epstein, Too Many Crooks is based on the Donald Westlake short story, for which he was awarded the prestigious Edgar (Edgar Alan Poe) award for Best Short Story in 1990. The short story has been called a thoroughly enjoyable, extremely smart, and carefully crafted heist. Westlake has been acknowledged by many writers and fans of crime fiction as one of the masters of the genre. Too Many Crooks was published internationally, including in Playboy Magazine.
“We’re thrilled to be launching Too Many Crooks at AFM and to be working with Todd and Craig on another stellar feature film,” said Clay Epstein, President of Film Mode Entertainment. “The movie is the perfect combination of commercial viability and quality content, with a gripping, highly entertaining story, a team of expert filmmakers, and the unmatched talent of William H. Macy leading the cast.”
When John Dornhoefer (William H. Macy) is released from years of imprisonment, he does what any career criminal does on parole; he plans another bank robbery. With his trusted, but disheveled sidekick, Andy Karp, the plans start to take shape. With meticulous details to dig under the bank vault, the only thing neither of them could have planned for was breaking into a bank that is already being robbed. The quick-minded Dornhoefer doesn’t miss a beat though. He seizes an opportunity to protect the hostages, outsmart the gunmen, and sweet talk FBI agent Carol Reed who is the lead hostage negotiator. But bad habits die hard and while he may save the day, it’s still the money that could make it all worthwhile.
“Craig and I have loved Eddie Richey’s script for some time, and when you envision William H. Macy in the lead it all comes beautifully together with Bill’s wit, pathos, and relatability,” enthused Harris.
Donald Westlake was a renowned American writer with more than one hundred novels and non-fiction books to his credit. He specialized in crime fiction, especially comic capers, with an occasional foray into science fiction and other genres. Westlake created two professional criminal characters who each starred in a long-running series: the relentless, hardboiled Parker (published under the pen name Richard Stark), and John Dortmunder, who featured in a more humorous series.
He was a three-time Edgar Award winner and was one of few writers to win Edgars in three different categories (1968, Best Novel, God Save the Mark; 1990, Best Short Story, Too Many Crooks; 1991, Best Motion Picture Screenplay, The Grifters). In 1993, the Mystery Writers of America named Westlake a Grand Master, the highest honor bestowed by the society. Many of his works went on to become feature films featuring icons of the big screen like Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, George C. Scott, Jean Luc Goddard, Christopher Lloyd, Antonio Banderas, André Holland and Gemma Chan, to name just a few.
Too Many Crooks is currently in pre-production and additional casting information will be forthcoming.
Film Mode Entertainment has taken on global sales rights for Too Many Crooks.
