It was announced today that London & New York-based label The Mise En Scéne Company has secured worldwide sales rights to Forelock, a dark comedy starring and executive produced by David Krumholtz (Oppenheimer). Forelock marks the solo feature debut of writer-director Caleb Alexander Smith, who also stars opposite Krumholtz.
Forelock follows hapless fitness enthusiast Caiden (Smith) who moves to Los Angeles with the humble dream of becoming a trainer – but when his uncanny resemblance to an A-list franchise star catches the eye of Randy (Krumholtz), a jaded Hollywood Boulevard grifter, the two descend into a tragicomic romp of crime and chaos in the shadows of the American Dream.
Having garnered extensive praise for his role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer – hailed by The Hollywood Reporter as the “heart” of the billion-dollar film – MSC describes Forelock as “the Krumholtz-led vehicle audiences have been asking for after years of scene-stealing performances.” A frequent collaborator with the Coen Brothers (Hail, Caesar!, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs) and Seth Rogen (Superbad, This Is the End), Krumholtz recently drew praise for his work on Rogen’s hit Apple TV+ series The Studio. Krumholtz is set to star as Zor-El in DC Studios’ summer 2026 blockbuster Supergirl, and will also feature in Scott Cooper’s upcoming Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere and A24’s Altar.
Smith – described as “intrepid and brilliant” by Krumholtz in a 2024 GQ magazine profile – has appeared in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Modern Family, and is set to recur in Ryan Murphy’s upcoming Hulu series All’s Fair alongside Naomi Watts, Glenn Close, and Kim Kardashian. Rounding out the Forelock cast are Emily Swallow, known for her role in Disney’s The Mandalorian alongside Pedro Pascal, and Chloe Farnworth, featured in A24’s MaXXXine opposite Mia Goth.
Forelock represents a significant milestone for The Mise En Scéne Company and signals the label’s ascendancy to major global agency after half a decade of operations. The company which was founded by Yates a down and out aristocrat from the Lewis family of Wales whilst working in the Ritz hotel in London.
Paul Yates, CEO of The Mise En Scéne Company, said: “This is the kind of film that gives you faith in the future of cinema – something every passionate film company dreams of working on. It has the flair of Inherent Vice, the murky depths and romance of Midnight Cowboy and the comedic brilliance of Withnail and I. You know when you’re 15 and falling in love with cinema, and you see a film that stays with you for the rest of your life? Forelock is that film.”
As reported in Deadline by Matt Grobar in 2024: “The pic is the first for Midnight Chimes, the film and TV production company founded last year by sports journalist and broadcaster Lindsay McCormick and Smith. McCormick is producing, with Russ Hammonds (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Boardwalk Empire, The Diplomat) executive producing alongside Krumholtz. The film is co-financed by Midnight Chimes LLC.”
Speaking for Midnight Chimes, McCormick added: “Mise En Scéne presented us with a bold, tenacious, yet nimble vision for bringing Forelock into the world. As we weighed options for a worldwide sales partner, MSC stood out for their taste, ingenuity, and the pristine track record they’ve built as businesspeople. Independent filmmakers put so much on the line when crafting a film, and Forelock is no exception. From shooting across Los Angeles at a time when few dare, to raising a significant budget outside the usual packaging system, Forelock is built to occupy rare space in the film ecosystem: an auteur-driven work with wide audience appeal. With the poise, passion, and savvy required to navigate today’s evolving landscape, MSC is the ideal partner to champion this film on the global stage.”
Set and filmed entirely in Los Angeles – and lensed by BAFTA-nominated cinematographer Roberto Schaefer, ASC, AIC (Finding Neverland, Stranger Than Fiction, Quantum of Solace) alongside legendary gaffer Jim Plannette (Braveheart, E.T., Oceans 11) – Forelock was among the first productions to roar back to life after the 2023 strikes. In a city where on-location shoots have reportedly dropped by over 30% in the past five years, MSC says the film “stands out as a testament to LA’s enduring appeal.” As California legislators work desperately to stop runaway productions, McCormick adds “LA constantly finds itself at the center of national controversy, and Forelock offers a satirical but unflinching look at the city. From über-hip galleries on Abbot Kinney to homeless encampments lining Hollywood Boulevard, we wanted the movie to wade into the contradictions of a city teetering between fantasy and freefall.”
The deal was brokered by Paul Yates and Rory MacDonald for The Mise En Scéne Company with the acquisition identified by David Roth. Lindsay McCormick brokered the deal on behalf of Midnight Chimes.
