Tremblay, McKinnon Headline 'I'm With Stupid' Ahead of AFM Debut

Jacob Tremblay and Kate McKinnon have signed on to star in the new high school comedy I'm With Stupid. The casting news comes as the project prepares for its debut to international buyers at the American Film Market. That market takes place this month, according to the announcement.

The film is directed by Hannah Pearl Utt. It is being positioned as a new entry in the comedy genre. Upgrade is handling international sales for the production. Jonathan Kier and Matt Brodlie are serving as executive producers for Upgrade. The script was written by Carolina Barlow and Peter Kelly.

Barlow previously worked on The Hawk. Kelly has credits on Big Mouth. The story follows two high school seniors who come from opposite ends of the social spectrum. These characters must work together to avoid the public humiliation of failing their senior year. The plot focuses on the specific dynamics of high school social hierarchies while delivering a comedic tone.

Tremblay is known for roles in Room, Wonder, and Good Boys. He will play Noah, a senior who holds strong opinions but lacks the motivation to act on them. Chabely Ponce, who appeared in Girl Group, plays Hadley. She is a wealthy classmate who realizes her interests extend beyond the traditional expectation of becoming a trophy wife.

McKinnon, recognized for Barbie and Ghostbusters, is cast as Principal Dunlap. This character is a deeply unpopular school administrator who 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 an unconventional English teacher and develops into an unlikely ally for the students.

Utt expressed enthusiasm for 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.' Mallory Schwartz and Jen Goyne Blake are producing the film. Their credits include The Morning Show, Cora Bora, and Joyland.

Kier and Brodlie noted a current market demand for intelligent and bold comedic films. They observed, 'There's a real appetite for smart, unapologetically funny comedies.' The executives added, '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.'

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. UTA Film Finance Group and After Hours are co-representing the film for domestic sales alongside the international efforts led by Upgrade. Rich Delia will oversee the casting process as the project moves toward pre-production. The filming schedule is set for February and March of 2027.