Spain’s Latido Films Pounces on Remake Rights to Chilean Mega Box Office Hit ‘Dad to the Rescue’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Spain’s Latido Films, has pounced on remake rights to Chilean phenomenon “Dad to the Rescue” (“Papa al Rescate”), the biggest box office draw in Chile in the past five years.

Lead produced by Sebastian Freund’s Rizoma Films, the family comedy is directed by Marcos Carnevale whose other films he has either directed or written, “Elsa and Fred” and “Corazon de Leon respectively,” have been widely adapted internationally.

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“As far as Latido is concerned, we are proud to get involved in such a successful, funny and intelligent comedy that has all the elements to be a perfect remake in all territories, and we are proud to work with Rizoma, one of the most active and brilliant production companies in South America,” said Latido’s Antonio Saura, adding: “We believe it is one of the hottest properties to handle this year and for that we are really thankful to Sebastian Freund for trusting us with it.”

Comedy has been streaming on Netflix under the title “The Lulú Club” in the U.S., Latin America and Spain where it ranked among the top 10 non-English titles its first week, the first Chilean film to earn that distinction.

Noting the comedy’s box office and streaming success, Freund expressed his confidence in Latido and that “Dad to the Rescue” would “cross borders and become a family favorite in other territories.” Freund co-wrote “Dad…” with Rodrigo Muñoz (“Aquí mando yo”).

“Dad to the Rescue” follows Nico, who just a week before his nuptials, the first gay wedding to be celebrated in Chile, receives a letter that exposes his long-held secret: a daughter with a woman in Argentina. The letter tells him that the mother has died and if he doesn’t come for the girl, she will be adopted. Backed by his husband-to-be, he sets off with his three best friends to rescue his daughter.

Rizoma sold the remake rights to Mexico’s Animal/Federation, which will team up with the company for its development and production in Mexico while Latido Films has remake rights to the rest of the world.

Chile’s Canal 13 and Vía X Films, Leyenda, Corinthian Media and Frontera Films of Argentina and Spain’s Twentyfour-seven and Secuoya Studios are co-producers.

Its stellar cast is led by Benjamín Vicuña, Jorge Zabaleta, Fernando Larraín and Muñoz.

Latido will also be representing the remake rights to thriller “All the Names of God” in the Remakes section of the Spanish Screening on Tour at the AFM.

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