Miramax grabs Griffin film for $5 million
By Michael Fleming
NEW YORK (Variety) - Miramax has paid around $5 million for "Eddie Griffin: Dis-Funk-Tional Family," a completed picture that intersperses the "Undercover Brother" star's standup comedy footage with documentary-style footage of a Kansas City family reunion.
The George Gallo-directed film prominently features the men who shaped Griffin's comic sensibility: ex-pimp Uncle Buckey and Uncle Curtis, the latter the proud owner of the largest collection in K.C., much of which he shot personally.
The filmmakers invited distributors to a test screening last Thursday. Audience reaction and scores indicated the film may have "Kings of Comedy" box office potential. Miramax, which is making Griffin's next comedy vehicle, "My Baby's Mama," beat out four other bidders for the Gold Circle-financed film: Screen Gems, Lions Gate, New Line and Fox Searchlight.
By Michael Fleming
NEW YORK (Variety) - Miramax has paid around $5 million for "Eddie Griffin: Dis-Funk-Tional Family," a completed picture that intersperses the "Undercover Brother" star's standup comedy footage with documentary-style footage of a Kansas City family reunion.
The George Gallo-directed film prominently features the men who shaped Griffin's comic sensibility: ex-pimp Uncle Buckey and Uncle Curtis, the latter the proud owner of the largest collection in K.C., much of which he shot personally.
The filmmakers invited distributors to a test screening last Thursday. Audience reaction and scores indicated the film may have "Kings of Comedy" box office potential. Miramax, which is making Griffin's next comedy vehicle, "My Baby's Mama," beat out four other bidders for the Gold Circle-financed film: Screen Gems, Lions Gate, New Line and Fox Searchlight.