THE COMEDIAN (Cast News)

•  ROBERT DE NIRO IS ACTUALLY A COMEDIAN

Robert De Niro

FilmNation Entertainment announced today that they willhandle international sales for The Comedian. The drama will be directed by SeanPenn (Into the Wild) and will star two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niroand Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids). Written by Art Linson with Jeffrey Ross, themovie will be produced by Art Linson (Into the Wild), John Linson, Jon Kilikand Robert De Niro. Shannon Costello will be associate producing.

In the film, Jackie Burke (De Niro) is a raging comic who ispast his prime. A once loved TV character in his hey day, he clings to anyrecognition of his former fame in the hope of reviving his now stagnant career.After being sentenced to community service for hitting an audience member inthe head with his microphone, Jackie meets Harmony (Wiig), a dazzling anddefiant redhead who turns his life sideways.

"We're so excited to be working with such an amazinglytalented group of filmmakers on this movie. It simply doesn't get much betterthan this, especially for us New Yorkers!," said FilmNationEntertainment's CEO Glen Basner.

Production is slated to start in the spring of 2012.