The iconic Laugh Factory, known for its legendary comedy clubs, is now making waves in the world of feature films. With the creation of Laugh Factory Entertainment, the company is launching its film division by greenlighting Toad, a stoner comedy directed by Adam Rifkin. Set to begin shooting on January 6th in Arizona, Toad brings to the big screen an outrageous blend of crime, road trip antics, and hallucinogenic adventures, setting the tone for Laugh Factory’s promising new venture.
Directed by Rifkin, Toad is an offbeat comedy following two aimless slackers, Sam (James Paxton) and Alex (Oliver Wyman), who are tasked with delivering psychedelic toads from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Predictably, things go horribly wrong when the toads suffer heatstroke and the two heroes accidentally ingest the very hallucinogens they’re supposed to deliver. What ensues is a bizarre desert journey that’s sure to give viewers plenty of laughs — and maybe a few trippy thoughts.
As Laugh Factory President David Fuhrer put it, Toad is “the perfect project to kick off our expansion into film,” and he’s right. The combination of Rifkin’s eccentric filmmaking style, a fresh and energetic cast, and the wild plot offers a promising debut for Laugh Factory’s film ambitions. Fuhrer, alongside Head of Entertainment John Weiser and Laugh Factory founder Jamie Masada, are betting big on this project, hoping it can replicate the success their comedy clubs have had with up-and-coming comedians like Jim Carrey.
With seasoned talent like Brad Wyman and Michael P.J. Gerstein producing, the film is in good hands. If Rifkin’s past successes, such as Mousehunt and Detroit Rock City, are any indication, Toad might just be the next cult classic for comedy fans to sink their teeth into.
Is this the beginning of a new era for Laugh Factory? Only time will tell, but Toad certainly has all the ingredients to make an impact.
