Billy Magnussen, Ella Purnell and Ariana Greenblatt are set to star in the teen comedy “Hot Ted.” The film will be directed by SNL alum Hannah Levy in their feature directorial debut. “Hot Ted” follows Zoe, a true-crime podcast enthusiast played by Greenblatt. Zoe is sent to Shady Pines Camp for the summer by her parents.
When camp counselor Liz doesn’t show up for breakfast one morning, counselor Amy (Purnell) tells everyone Liz had to leave for a “family emergency.”
However, Zoe suspects fellow counselor Ted (Magnussen) is behind Liz’s disappearance. Ted has several hallmarks of a classic serial killer: he’s not on social media, owns a van, and is overly nice to everyone. Zoe and her friends must investigate to uncover the truth.
Is Ted really a murderer or just the perfect guy? “‘Hot Ted’ is a psychosexual thriller as imagined by virgins. ‘Mean Girls’ meets ‘American Psycho,'” said director Levy.
A psychosexual thriller at camp
“This is the movie I’ve been dreaming to make — a reinvention of the camp comedy that speaks to being a teenager right now and always.”
The film is produced by Magnussen, Shane Andries, and Anne Hollister for HappyBad Bungalow. Javier Chapa and Phillip Braun are producing for Mucho Mas Media.
Morgan Cano-Long and Robert Muñoz will executive produce for Mucho Mas. Protagonist Pictures’ Dave Bishop, James Pugh, and George Hamilton serve as executive producers. The script is written by Grace McLeod.
Bishop commented, “It doesn’t get fresher than this — sharp, hilarious, and a wildly original spin on the genre. ‘Hot Ted’ nails that chaotic, cringey moment when childhood fades and adulthood crashes in. With a killer cast led by Billy, Ariana, and Ella, this one’s got ‘instant classic’ written all over it.”
Protagonist Pictures is launching worldwide sales for the project at the upcoming Cannes Film Market.
The film has not yet set a release date.
