Saban Films announced today that they have acquired U.S. rights to Fatman starring Academy Award® winner Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Lethal Weapon franchise), Emmy Award® nominated Walton Goggins (“Justified,” Ant-Man and the Wasp) and Academy Award® nominated Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Secrets & Lies, “Without a Trace”).  The dark comedy, action film was written and directed by Eshom and Ian Nelms (Small Town Crime, Waffle Street, Lost on Purpose) and produced by Fortitude International’s Nadine de Barros and Mammoth Entertainment’s Todd Courtney, with RBL Studios’ Michelle Lang, Zed Filmworks’ Robert Menzies, and Skywolf Media’s Lisa Wolofsky. The film marks Saban Films’ second collaboration with the Nelms brothers following modern noir hit Small Town Crime.

Fatman centers on a neglected and precocious 12-year-old who hires an unorthodox hitman to kill Santa Claus after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking.

Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley said, “This is our second collaboration with the Nelms brothers, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring another unique, thrilling movie of theirs to our audiences. Eshom and Ian are a talented duo, and we were hooked from script stage. This one is a fun ride.”    

Jonathan Saba and Bill Bromiley negotiated the deal for Saban Films with Fortitude International’s Nadine de Barros on behalf of the filmmakers.  Fortitude International is handling the international rights to the film.  Bromiley and Saba are also executive producing along with financiers Hans Hufschmid and Todd Courtney in addition to Brandon James, Alastair Burlingham, The Film House’s Ryan R. Johnson, Windy Hill Pictures’ Buddy Patrick, Gary Raskin, Ben Rosenblatt, Kyle Stroud and Ingenious Media’s Peter Touche and Samantha Allwinton.

Fatman will be released by Saban Films, with plans to be announced at a later date.