Robert Simonds' STXsurreal Expands Original VR Slate With New Development Deals

'The Office' Star Ed Helms to Direct and Produce Comedy Series 'New Tricks'

Untitled Dave Bautista Action-Comedy in Early Development

'Mile 22' Spinoff in the Works from Director Peter Berg

Director Kevin Smith Signs on for New 'Jay and Silent Bob' Project

Sci-fi Thriller in Development from 'John Wick' Writer Derek Kolstad

BURBANK, California, April 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- STXsurreal, the VR and immersive content division of Robert Simonds' STX Entertainment, today announced it will expand its VR slate with several new original short-form series in development, including a new comedy series from 'The Office' star Ed Helms, an untitled Dave Bautista action-comedy, a spinoff of STX's 'Mile 22' film franchise from director Peter Berg, a Jay and Silent Bob project from writer and director Kevin Smith, and a Sci-fi-thriller from 'John Wick" writer Derek Kolstad. All series will premiere on the "SURREAL" channel, launching as an app on VR headsets in mid 2018. STXsurreal's slate of original VR programming is being produced in a completely new format that bridges the gap between traditional widescreen and 360-degree video. As previously announced, the channel will kick off with THE LIMIT, a live-action, short-form virtual reality series from award-winning filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and starring actress Michelle Rodriguez.

STXsurreal 2018 Original Series Slate in Development:

NEW TRICKS:
Original short-form live-action comedy series from director and producer Ed Helms (The Hangover, The Office). Written by Frank Lesser (The Colbert Report), NEW TRICKS follows an aimless 30 year-old Radio Shack employee who receives a visit from a magical elf one day and learns he is destined to become the world's greatest wizard. Helms will produce the series with Mike Falbo (Pacific Electric Picture Co.).

UNTITLED DAVE BAUTISTA PROJECT:
STX will expand its relationship with actor Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy, Blade Runner: 2049) through an original short-form action-comedy series. STXfilms is concurrently collaborating with Bautista on an action comedy feature film, which is also in the early stages of development. 

THE KIEV EXCHANGE:
A spinoff of STX's MILE 22 film franchise, THE KIEV EXCHANGE is a short-form, live-action series from MILE 22 director Peter Berg. Written by Umair Aleem (Extraction, 2017 Blacklist for "Kate"), THE KIEV EXCHANGE is a gritty, pulse-pounding action-thriller following the CIA's elusive paramilitary force, Ground Branch, as they negotiate a tense and complex hostage exchange in a public square. When all hell breaks loose they must come together to fight their way out of an ambush. Berg will produce for Film 44 and Film 45, along with Mark Wahlberg, Matt Goldberg and John Logan Pierson.

JAY AND SILENT BOB VR:
Original short-form, live-action comedy series from Kevin Smith (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy). Smith will write, direct and produce the series, which stars his longtime collaborator Jason Mewes (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy) as they revisit fan-favorite characters Jay and Silent Bob. Shot entirely from the perspective of Bob, viewers will embody the silent fanboy himself while alpha-slacker Jay leads the way through a string of idiotic adventures.

UNTITLED DEREK KOLSTAD PROJECT:
From writer Derek Kolstad (The John Wick Trilogy), this original live-action short-form series, set in 1947, follows a mysterious government agent sent to investigate an aircraft crash in rural New Mexico. As he probes deeper, it becomes clear this is no ordinary incident. Kolstad is also writing STXfilms' upcoming action-thriller Nobody starring Bob Odenkirk.

About STXsurreal
STXsurreal is a division of STX Entertainment, a global, next-generation media company whose mission is to unlock the value of the direct connection stars have with their fans through the development, financing, production, marketing and distribution of film, television, VR, digital video, music and live entertainment content.  It is the industry leader in transforming beyond traditional platform-driven content to creating talent-driven enterprises. 

The company is led by accomplished businessman Robert Simonds and was co-founded by Bill McGlashan, managing partner of the leading global private investment firm TPG.  Other investors include Hony Capital, a leading private equity firm in China; PCCW, Southeast Asia's largest Internet and cable services provider; Tencent Holdings, China's leading provider of online products and services; Liberty Global, the world's largest distribution platform; Dominic Ng, Chairman of East West Bank; DNS Capital (representing the business interests of Gigi Pritzker and her immediate family); and Beau Wrigley, former Chairman and CEO of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, among others.  With these strategic relationships, the company is uniquely positioned to maximize the impact of content worldwide, with direct passage into the China market.

For more information, please visit http://www.stxentertainment.com.

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