- Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films is teaming up with Rivulet Films for a new pickleball comedy called The Dink, following their previous project, Nutcrackers.
- Jake Johnson stars as a washed-up tennis pro who reluctantly takes up pickleball to save a club and gain his father’s respect, featuring Mary Steenburgen and Ed Harris in the cast.
- Production starts in November in Los Angeles, with Josh Greenbaum directing from a screenplay by Sean Clements, and Stiller along with Johnson set to produce.
Hold onto your paddles, folks! Ben Stiller is back in action, and this time he’s journeying into the quirky world of pickleball with the upcoming comedy, “The Dink.” If your first thought is that pickleball is just a sport your cool uncle plays at the local rec center, think again! This is about to get hilarious.
Stiller’s Red Hour Films is teaming up once more with Rivulet Films after their last shindig with “Nutcrackers.” They’re ready to serve up some laughter, and who better to take the lead than Jake Johnson? You probably recognize him as the goofy guy in “New Girl” or that dude whose projects seem to pop up everywhere. Now, he’s stepping into the shoes of a washed-up tennis pro trying to save a failing club, even though he swore he’d never touch a pickleball. Talk about a pickle of a situation!
The Cast and Characters
Jake Johnson: The man of the hour! He plays the role of the washed-up tennis player who finds himself reluctantly picking up that pickleball paddle to gain his father’s respect. Because nothing says “I love you, Dad” like failing at a sport you didn’t even want to play.
Mary Steenburgen: A Hollywood veteran who’s bringing the charm. You may have seen her in everything from “Parenthood” to “The Help.” She’s bound to add that special spark, making sure Johnson remembers who he really is when he’s rolling around the pickleball court.
Ed Harris: Yes, the legendary Ed “I’m-so-serious-I-can-make-a-laughing-skeleton-look-solemn” Harris is in it too. Imagine him scolding Johnson about how to properly flick that paddle. This cast angle could get wild.
Ben Stiller and Andy Roddick: The duo will take on key supporting roles. Roddick, the ex-tennis champ, knows a few things about hitting balls hard—hopefully, he can pass on that energy to the film!
Behind the Scenes
Jake Johnson isn’t just the face of this show; he’s stepping behind the curtain too, producing along with Stiller and execs from Red Hour Films. The directing helm goes to Josh Greenbaum, who’s been making waves for his unique storytelling. The screenplay comes from Sean Clements, who has a knack for mixing humor with the everyday ridiculousness we all sometimes wade through.
The production is set to start in November in Los Angeles, which means we can expect some sun-kissed, wanding-around scenes all around the pickleball courts. Word is that the financing is coming from Rivulet, making this batch of entertainment exactly what we need in the post-pandemic air of seriousness.
Why Pickleball?
If you’re wondering why on earth folks are diving into the wild world of pickleball, here are a few spicy tidbits about the sport:
The Rise of Pickleball: It’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. – according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, there were over 4.8 million players as of 2021. You do the math, that’s a whole lot of paddles swinging around!
An Easy Entry: Unlike its high-strung cousin tennis—where you may feel like you need to train to avoid embarrassment—pickleball welcomes all skill levels. It’s the perfect outing for families, friends, and for those who just want to get some cardio while chatting over a game.
The Social Aspect: Let’s be real, most people just wanna grab a drink and connect without the pretense of high stakes. Pickleball is all about fun and laughter, which makes it a perfect backdrop for the comedy palette.
What Can We Expect from “The Dink”?
This isn’t going to be your garden-variety sports comedy. The dealer of laughter, Ben Stiller, will surely inject it with his signature humor. Expect some side-splitting moments, like when Johnson’s character embarrassingly struggles to master the gentle art of whacking that wiffle ball, and then realizes it’s not too far off from tennis. The snappy, quick-paced banter between characters could really elevate the whole recipe. Imagine silly pickleball puns sliding around like backhand shots—yep, it’s gonna happen.
The Fun in the Making
Let’s take a moment to appreciate how the movie-making process is like trying hard not to burst into laughter while playing pickleball with your friends. There are stumbles, there are falls, and sometimes, people just flat-out miss the ball.
Behind the Gelatinous Screen: It’s no joke spending those long hours on set, trying to get the perfect punchline or comedy moment without cracking up. What happens when actors stage a dramatic fail on pickleball? Pure comedy gold.
On-set Antics: We can already imagine the kind of fun that’s going to happen on set when Stiller or Johnson pull pranks—think tennis racket misfires and accidental toe stubs. Let’s clear a space; no one is safe from the shenanigans!
Blending Stories: With Johnson’s past experience on “New Girl” and Stiller’s comedic heritage, they’ll likely mesh humor and genuine character growth together like a well-mixed smoothie—smooth, with just a hint of surprising tang.
Who’s Making It Happen?
Let’s not overlook the behind-the-scenes squad. Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films is not just a name; it’s a powerhouse in comedy film production. He’s been known to lend his witty touch to various projects, and this one is no different.
Visionaries: Collaborating with Rivulet Films means serious business. They look for unique narratives and cinematic magic that jazz up audiences—something the folks behind “Nutcrackers” mastered subtweet-level greatness. With a roster of impressive producers, this is a ship set for big laughs!
The Writing Game: Think Sean Clements might wield a pen like a pickleball paddle? You might be onto something. With a sharp sense of humor, his writing style might just serve up some unpredictable moments that will leave even the most seasoned comedy lovers giggling.
A Glimpse into Pickleball Culture and Comedy
Now that we’re all hyped about “The Dink,” let’s ruminate on the pickleball culture.
The Gramps Factor: It’s popular, yes, but really old-school gramps love it. Pickleball seems to have this magnetic pull that pulls everyone closer. You won’t just find hipsters and beach bums on the courts; it’s grandpas showing the kids how to swing the paddle.
The Comedic Angle: How do you infuse comedy into a sport that is deceptively simple? Just recall your childhood playground. Think of the fails, the overzealous swing, or the moments when the ball goes rogue—those moments are comedy wrappers waiting to be opened.
Need Some Fun Facts?
Pickleball was invented in 1965 in Seattle when two dads wanted to entertain their kids. Therefore if you thought these folks were crazy inventors, guess what? They just didn’t want their kids bored to tears.
Every pickleball paddle has different weights. So it’s like picking out shoes—some like them heavy for power, while others prefer light for those speedy moments of stealth.
The sport was named after a dog. Yup, you read that correctly! The inventors’ dog was named Pickles, and that’s how we got here.
Share the Buzz
So what are you waiting for? This is your moment to spread the word about “The Dink!” Get your friends buzzing about the hilarity on its way. You never know; they might even get inspired to whip out their own pickleball paddles and go for a round after watching it—a full-circle moment indeed!
Gather your pals, make the popcorn, and brace yourself for some pure joy and laughter that’s headed your way with Stiller and crew. And hey—if you’re in the mood for some on-screen antics, maybe just send this article their way so we can all chat about who’s got the best pickleball skills!
No sour faces here; laughter and pickleball are way too amusing for that!
