EXCLUSIVE: It’s about to get spicy on the big screen — there’s a movie about the famous chicken wing chain Hooters in the works.
Hooters: The Movie is being independently produced by the chain’s original founding partners and is being directed by Emmy nominated filmmaker Jon Rosenbaum (Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp, Benchwarmers 2: Breaking Balls) off a screenplay by Ed Droste, Phil Olson and Chuck Melcher. Casting is underway, led by casting directors Lisa London and Catherine Stroud of London/Stroud Casting.
Based on the real events behind Hooters’ founding, Hooters: The Movie centers on Ted and Lenny, two lifelong friends from a small-town in Iowa who accidentally launch a national restaurant empire, only to find everything they built threatened by the federal government. The adventure begins when Ted becomes infatuated with Diane, whom he first sees from afar when featured in a spring break commercial. Determined to find her in real life, Ted talks a hesitant Lenny into joining him on a road trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida. Diane would later become the very first Hooters Girl.
“I think people are going to enjoy watching how we were really just some guys who didn’t know what we were doing, but had a great time doing it,” said Ed Droste, Hooters Co-Founder and Producer. “There’s a lot of drama, but a lot of heart and fun too. And of course, our world-famous Hooters Girls are the real stars. For over 40 years Hooters has been America’s oasis in good times and bad. It’s time to deliver a taste of our big hearted culture and famous humor to the world.”
“From the moment I first learned the Hooters origin story, I knew it would make an incredible movie,” said Rosenbaum. “It’s the perfect combination of a hilarious buddy comedy and an inspiring biopic for a beloved American brand: Two lifelong friends with no idea what they’re getting themselves into, a crazy idea they’re willing to bet everything on, and a wild journey that culminates in the creation of something bigger than they could ever have imagined. It’s not at all what people will be expecting – and it’s mostly true! I can’t wait to bring this story to life.”
Production is being eyed for November, filming primarily in the Tampa/Clearwater, Florida area, where the original Hooters restaurant opened in 1983.
Rosenbaum is represented by Ross Fineman at Fineman Entertainment and Brent Jordan Sherman at the Characters Talent Agency.
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