Press Releases

Culver City, CA - June 22, 2010 - Ruben Fleischer, who most recently directed the break-out hit ZOMBIELAND, will develop to direct Columbia Pictures' BABE IN THE WOODS, it was announced today by Matt Tolmach and Doug Belgrad, Presidents of Columbia Pictures.

The screenplay, written by Mike White, is an action-comedy centering on a female freshman from the Midwest who arrives at Yale and becomes a target of the New Jersey mob.

White will produce the project through his Rip Cord Productions banner. Rip Cord's David Bernad will also serve as a producer on the film.

"Our experience working with Ruben on Zombieland was nothing short of amazing," said Tolmach. "We love what Mike did with this script and could not be more thrilled to develop BABE IN THE WOODS with these two guys. They bring the perfect blend of comedy and attitude to their projects."

On the heels of directing the critical and box office hit ZOMBIELAND, starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin, Fleischer is also attached to direct the MRC film 30 MINUTES OR LESS, with Ben Stiller's Red Hour producing and Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari and Jesse Eisenberg attached to star. Fleischer also recently sold his untitled action comedy pitch to DreamWorks, which he will direct and produce with Nicholas Stoller and Gavin Polone.

Mike White most recently wrote and directed the pilot ENLIGHTENED, which was recently picked up by HBO. In addition, he is writing the comedy SANTA WARS for Paramount Pictures, which he and Scott Rudin are producing.

Before joining Sony Pictures Entertainment in 1996, Schwartz served as manager, Creative Advertising at Fox Searchlight for two years. He began his career at Trimark Pictures.

Fleischer and White are represented by UTA and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.