EXCLUSIVE: Production is underway in Vancouver on The Marshmallow Experiment, a raunchy coming-of-age comedy from Canadian production and finance company Big Picture Cinema Group.
The film stars Dafne Keen (Deadpool & Wolverine), Sam McCarthy (Dead to Me), Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Johnny Knoxville (Jackass), Josh Lucas (Ford v. Ferrari) and Sarah Chalke (Scrubs) in the story of a young internet-addicted teen (McCarthy) who, after bombing in bed with his dream girl, embarks on a wild, cringe-filled journey of digital detox. With influencer parents, rogue AI avatars and a talking gorilla as his guide, The Marshmallow Experiment tackles intimacy, identity and growing up unplugged — in the most online way possible.
The U.S.-Canada co-production is written and directed by Richard Goldgewicht (Pablo), Matt Hamilton and Abe Frank. The pic is produced by Big Picture Cinema Group’s Jayce Barreiro and Graem Luis (Night Comes). Also producing are Goldgewicht and Ruth Bornhauser of Core Story. Executive producers are Brian Liebman, Jared Zhang, Teia Kane and Steve Read.
Essential is handling worldwide sales at the upcoming Cannes market and co-repping North America with UTA.
Producer Jayce Barreiro commented: “Big Picture can’t be more excited to be a part of this amazing film. The market is primed for the return of the raunchy comedy, which is not only relevant to today’s youth and the struggles that only they have faced during their adolescence but also relates so closely to us parents as a reminder of the days when we were teens, trying to figure life out in an avalanche of doubt, confusion and sexual tension. We can’t wait to have the audience laugh with us on The Marshmallow Experiment.”
Director Goldgewicht added: “It’s a comedy about impulse control and digital overload. We wanted it to feel funny, awkward, and heartfelt — something that taps into what it’s like to be a teenager right now, stuck between screens, cravings, and a constant flood of noise.”