Disney Channel Star Ross Lynch to Topline Comedy ‘Status Update’

In a pre-Cannes announcement, Offspring Entertainment and Brightlight Pictures have signed Disney Channel star Ross Lynch as the lead in the comedy “Status Update.”

Shooting will start in June in Vancouver. Voltage Pictures will launch sales at Cannes and handle international distribution rights while UTA Independent Film Group will handle domestic rights.

The film is being co-financed by Beijing-based financier DNA Pictures and its partner Heyi Capital, which are acquiring Chinese-language remake rights. “Status Update” marks the U.S. film debut for the Chinese companies.

Lynch, who starred in “Austin & Ally” and the “Teen Beach Movie” series, will appear in “Status Update” with Olivia Holt (“I Didn’t Do It”) and Courtney Eaton (“Mad Max: Fury Road”). Scott Speer (“Step Up Revolution”) will direct from a script written by Jason Filardi.

Filardi teamed with Offspring Entertainment on Zac Efron’s “17 Again.”

Offspring Entertainment partners Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot are producing along with Brightlight’s Shawn Williamson and Voltage’s Dominic Rustam. DNA’s Mason Xu and Fan Dong will executive produce alongside Brightlight’s Arielle Boisvert and Voltage’s Jonathan Deckter.

“Status Update” is the second film from Brightlight Pictures’ three-year, five-picture production and distribution deal with Voltage Pictures.

Lynch will star as a teenager who, after being uprooted by his parents’ separation and unable to fit into his new hometown, stumbles upon a magical app that causes his social media updates to come true. As he becomes a hero at his new high school, his newfound power abruptly unravels, sending him crashing back down to earth.

Offspring Entertainment and Brightlight Pictures are represented by UTA. Ross Lynch is represented by UTA, Principato Young, Savage Agency and Felker Toczek.