EXCLUSIVE: Emory Cohen (Marty Supreme) has attached to star in Thick, a dark comedy marking the feature directorial debut of Joshua Ryan Dietz, who’s working from his own script.
Set to shoot in California with a tax credit, Thick has quite the logline: The film follows Richard, a small-town man whose unusually large penis made him a local legend in his youth, only for him to find himself 35, alone, and realizing the one thing everyone valued him for was never enough to build a life on. As Richard searches for meaning, he is pulled into an alpha-male group that promises answers and pushes him further off course.
Dietz, who’s coming off a festival run for his short Supper, told us: “With everything I do, I’m always raging against something. Thick grew out of the absurdity of the alpha-male movement, men’s obsession with masculinity, and wanting to find the gut-wrenching bottom of why men are turning to the manosphere for answers. It’s funny. It’s uncomfortable. It’s heartbreaking. From our very first conversation, Emory understood the mission and I’m stoked to bring this story to life with him.”
Thick will be produced by Thomas Hartmann (Hal & Harper), Allison Dietz, and Dietz under his Tammie’s Son banner. Seth Yanklewitz and Ben Pollack are casting the film.
Known for roles in films like Brooklyn and A Place Beyond the Pines, Cohen is coming off of turns in Josh Safdie’s Oscar-nominated Marty Supreme, as well as Roofman, from Pines helmer Derek Cianfrance. Upcoming, he’ll also be seen in Parker Finn’s Paramount remake of 1981 psychological horror film Possession.
Speaking to Thick, Cohen commented, “I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of this project. Ever since I read and saw Joshua’s short film Supper, I’ve been looking forward to finding something to work with him on. His writing and characterization is so dark, vivid, and interesting. It’s such a gift to be able to work with someone with his clarity and imagination.”
Dietz is repped by Industry Entertainment; Cohen by Range, Verve and Jackoway Austen; and producer Hartmann by UTA.
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