James Presson Joins "Humpty: American Dream," a Biopic Parody Headed to Fantasia Market

Veteran producer James Presson, recognized for his work on the series "The Plague," has joined the team behind "Humpty: American Dream," a new comedic film project. The movie is described as a raunchy parody of the biopic genre, Variety reports. "Humpty: American Dream" is spearheaded by directors Maxwell Nalevansky and Carl Fry, who previously collaborated on "Rats!" The duo's production company, Pleasure Cinemagroup, based in the U.S., is producing the upcoming feature. The announcement comes as the film prepares for its presentation at the Fantasia International Film Festival's Frontières Co-Production Market, which will take place in Montreal from July 22 to 25. The project marks a significant step for Nalevansky and Fry, whose previous short film "Rats!" was developed under the mentorship of executive producer Phil Lord. Lord is part of the acclaimed filmmaking pair Lord and Miller, known for their work on "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" and "The Lego Movie." Lord reportedly played a crucial role in bringing "Rats!" to fruition, according to the directors. Presson brings his experience to the project, having executive produced "The Plague," a television series that gained recognition. His involvement suggests a growing interest in the unique comedic vision behind "Humpty: American Dream." The film is expected to combine elements of satire with a distinctive narrative style, characteristic of the directors' previous endeavors. Frontières, the co-production market at Fantasia, is a key event for independent filmmakers to secure financing and distribution for their projects. "Humpty: American Dream" will be among several international films seeking support from industry professionals. Its inclusion in such a market highlights its potential appeal and the creative team's ambition to bring this unconventional parody to a wider audience. Both Nalevansky and Fry have expressed enthusiasm for the project, viewing it as an opportunity to further explore their distinctive brand of humor. Their collaboration with Presson and the backing of Pleasure Cinemagroup are expected to strengthen the film's production capabilities as it moves toward development.