by Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety
Blue Fox Entertainment has acquired the distribution rights to the true-events-inspired feature film, “Lost on a Mountain In Maine,” which will begin its theatrical run on Nov. 1.
From Sylvester Stallone‘s Balboa Productions, the film tells the true story of 12-year-old Donn Fendler, who “becomes separated from his family by a fast-moving storm atop a treacherous mountain,” the film’s logline reads.
It continues: “For nine days, Donn fights to stay alive as he attempts to survive the unforgiving wilderness of northern Maine without food, proper clothing, or the knowledge of how bad his situation really is. His disappearance sparks a massive search effort that captures national headlines and attracts hundreds of volunteers, including his own father, who fears he may never see his son again.”
Luke David Blumm (“The King of Staten Island”), Paul Sparks (Netflix’s “House of Cards”), Caitlin FitzGerald (Showtime’s “Masters of Sex”) and Ethan Slater (“Wicked”) star in the Stallone-produced film, which recently premiered to a sold-out audience at the 810-seat Waterville Opera House at the Maine International Film Festival.
Andrew Boodhoo Kightlinger (“Tater Tot,” “Patton”) directs the film from a screenplay by Luke Paradise (“Sympathy for the Devil”), based on the 1978 book of the same name that was written by Fendler about his childhood experiences.
Stallone produces and Braden Aftergood, Dick Boyce, Ryan Cook, Heather Grehan, Derek Desmond, Stephanie Blackwood and Mario Nicosia all serve as executive producers.
“Here’s a classic American movie you don’t see anymore — an emotional epic grounded by a tour-de-force performance from a 12-year-old star. We filmed in ACTUAL wilderness — up to our neck in rivers, hiking mountains — everyday on set, the cast and crew hoisted the banner for Stallone’s underdog ethos,” Boodhoo Kightlinger said in a statement. “In championing a theatrical release, Blue Fox is giving audiences something they’re hungry for — an incredible (and TRUE) tale of hope, grit, and family, chiseled with a modern edge.”
Balboa Productions’ recent documentary film, “Sly,” premiered as the closing night gala at TIFF before its Netflix release in November 2023. Previous productions include the Stallone-led superhero film “Samaritan” on Amazon Prime and the TV series “Tulsa King,” which launched in November 2022 on Paramount+ and is currently wrapping production of its second season.
Blue Fox Entertainment’s recent U.S. releases include YA dramedy “Empire Waist,” animated surfing comedy “The Greatest Surf Movie in the Universe” starring Luke Hemsworth and “Take My Hand starring Radha Mitchell.
