Jacob Tremblay and Kate McKinnon have joined the cast of I'm With Stupid, a new high school comedy directed by Hannah Pearl Utt. The project, which also features Ego Nwodim and Chabely Ponce, is being positioned as a significant new entry in the genre. The film is currently being prepared for introduction to international buyers at the American Film Market, which is scheduled to take place this month.
The narrative centers on two directionless high school seniors who come from opposite ends of the social spectrum. These characters are compelled to collaborate in an effort to avoid the public humiliation of failing their senior year. The screenplay was written by Carolina Barlow and Peter Kelly, both of whom have previously worked on projects such as The Hawk and Big Mouth, respectively.
Tremblay, known for his roles in Room, Wonder, and Good Boys, will portray Noah. The character is described as a senior student who holds strong opinions on various matters but lacks the motivation to act on them. Chabely Ponce, who appeared in Girl Group, plays Hadley. She is Noah's wealthy classmate who begins to realize that her interests extend beyond the traditional expectation of becoming a trophy wife.
Kate McKinnon, recognized for her work in Barbie and Ghostbusters, has been cast as Principal Dunlap. This role involves a school administrator who is deeply unpopular with students and has become increasingly vindictive in her management style. Ego Nwodim, who starred in Return to You and Hoppers, will play Ms. Reed. She serves as the students' unconventional English teacher and develops into an unlikely ally in their struggle to secure their graduation.
Director Hannah Pearl Utt expressed her enthusiasm for the project, noting the balance of humor and emotional depth in the script. She stated, 'I'm thrilled to make a movie that's this funny but has this much heart, with my dream group of collaborators.' The film is produced by Mallory Schwartz and Jen Goyne Blake, who have credits including The Morning Show, Cora Bora, and Joyland.
Upgrade is handling the international sales for the production. Jonathan Kier and Matt Brodlie are executive producing the film for Upgrade. Other executive producers include Christine D'Souza for After Hours, Marc Danon and Kyle Fox for Fox Global Capital, and April Shih for Diversity Hire.
Kier and Brodlie highlighted the current market demand for intelligent and bold comedic films. They observed, 'There's a real appetite for smart, unapologetically funny comedies.' The executives further commented on the director's talent, stating, 'Hannah has a terrific ability to find genuine emotion in absurd situations, and with this exceptional ensemble, we believe I'm With Stupid has all the ingredients to become a new generation's favorite high school comedy.'
The production team is currently preparing for a filming schedule set for February and March of 2027. Rich Delia will be overseeing the casting process as the project moves toward pre-production. For domestic sales representation, UTA Film Finance Group and After Hours are co-representing the film alongside the international efforts led by Upgrade.
The announcement marks a significant step in the development of the script, which has now secured high-profile talent in its principal roles. The involvement of established actors alongside a director with a growing portfolio suggests a strong industry interest in the project's potential. The film aims to capture the specific dynamics of high school social hierarchies while delivering a comedic tone that appeals to a broad audience.
