New body-swap comedy based around stand-up

A new body-switch comedy movie, in which a ruthlessly ambitious stand-up becomes inhabited with the spirit of a destructive heckler, is seeking a distribution deal.

The Heckler has been written by Australian comic Steve Mitchell, and will be pitched at an international film festival in Toronto next month.

It stars Simon Mallory –  who played Chris Cousens in Neighbours – as a self-absorbed stand-up called Steve, on the brink of his big break. But then he accidentally kills heckler and jealous wannabe comic, Mike, played by comedian CJ Fortuna.

In a plot that has some echoes with Steve Martin’s All Of Me, Mike’s spirit jumps into Steve’s body and starts performing appalling routines, threatening to ruin his career and reputation, just as the Ultimate Funniest Comedian contest approaches.

The film has been made by first-time feature director Ben Plazzer also stars Kate Jenkinson, Emily Taheny, Dave Lawson and Tony Martin.

It is being marketed by Odin’s Eye Entertainment, whose founder Michael Favelle told Australian trade website Inside Film: ‘Australian comedy can be a challenging genre for international sales but I think The Heckler’s broad, accessible nature and body switch angle will appeal to buyers.’

Published: 2 Sep 2014