J.K. Simmons and Mena Massoud star in Dan Abramovici’s New Sci-Fi Fantasy

SPACEMAN

New sci fi fantasy by Canadian Film Center alumni is a coming of age film breaks barriers via a deeply human handcrafted story made by fusing old Hollywood techniques with state-of-the art cinematic mastery.

TORONTO (July, 2024) – Press Play Films announces their newest film, SPACEMAN. Written and directed by emerging visionary filmmaker Dan Abramovici, the film stars Academy Award-winner J.K. Simmons (Whiplash, Being the Ricardos, Red One), Mena Massoud (Aladdin, The Royal Treatment) and Trevor Copp (Bulfinch’s Mythology). SPACEMAN is not only a fresh and innovative take on some of the most beloved and renowned cinematic genres, it’s something brand-new: A mix of sci fi, fantasy, and coming of age, combining elements of classic Hollywood, a la Chaplin and Keaton, with cutting edge practical effects, in a film that brings to mind classic works by Michel Gondry and Baz Luhrman. 

SPACEMAN is produced by Ali Mashayekhi (The Last King, Evolving Vegan), Mena Massoud, and Dan Abramovici.

SPACEMAN uses mime, stop motion, classic animation, and theatrical elements, to explore one artist’s loss of creative passion and his journey to get it back. Allied with his passion (Mena Massoud), Spaceman (Trevor Copp) has to travel through the looking glass, and battle his imposter syndrome (J.K. Simmons), in order to truly see himself once more.

The film is an exploration of identity, artistic passion, and the fragile nature of human connection. It weaves themes of self-discovery, mental health, and the pursuit of dreams. 

“My hope is to blur the lines between the tangible and the ephemeral. By delving into Spaceman’s subconscious we are able to explore  the cathartic nature of artistic creation and the ways in which it can offer a sense of purpose, as well as the danger and risk to one’s sense of self.” Said Abramovici. 

“Spaceman is a unique film in many ways, including it being highly commercially viable while staying true to its artistic integrity. It’s a movie that audiences all over the world will relate to on so many levels.” Said Mashayekhi. 

After immigrating to Canada, Abramovici used filmmaking to explore his many questions about identity, often using a surrealist approach to broach complex human moments. He began his career  as an actor, most recently on projects such as Sofia Coppolla’s Priscilla, HBO’s  Jane, FX’s What We Do In The Shadows, and CBS’s Star Trek Discovery.

Abramovici is an alumni of the CFC/ Canadian Film Center.

Abramovici sold his first feature film, the comedy BEN’S AT HOME to Netflix and then jumped behind the camera, writing and directing a series of short films, including the Academy-Qualifying PLAY IT AGAIN (Austin FF Best Short Winner 2021), LIMINAL (Raindance, HollyShorts), STUCK (Dances With Films LA), and SPACEMAN.

He is also a Top 10 screenwriting award winner at Cinequest, where Laurence Kasdan (Star Wars, Indiana Jones) and Dennis Lehane (The Wire, The Drop) served as writing mentors.

Abramovici’s upcoming feature, SEARCHING FOR MARCEAU, builds upon this previous work. It has ranked in the top 1% of projects on Coverfly, is a Shore Scripts Finalist, Top 50 at the LaunchPad competition, and a CineStory recipient.Ali Mashayekhi has produced over 85 films around the world since 2003 including; Japan, Indonesia, USA, Netherlands and France, screening at over a 100 festivals and winning several high profile awards including Best Short Film for “Play it Again”, directed by Dan Abramovici, at the Austin Film Festival in 2021. 

Ali is also the Executive Director of the Ethnically Diverse Artists (EDA) Foundation, a non-profit and charitable organization founded by Mena Massoud (Aladdin), which aims to inspire inclusivity and diversity in the arts. Additionally, Ali is the “Lead Creative Ambassador” for the International Network of Aid and Relief Association (INARA) founded by Ex-CNN senior international correspondent Arwa Damon, bringing creative film related initiatives to philanthropic work. 

Recently Ali premiered at Raindance Film Festival 2024 a Stephen King short story adaptation based on Sherlock Holmes, The Last King, entirely in the Persian language.

This fall, Ali is producing a gritty crime-thriller with Fortin Films, a Canadian production company from Toronto. Currently Ali is the Executive Producer on the travel vegan food show Evolving Vegan, with producing partner and Host Mena Massoud under their Press Play Productions company. 

J.K. Simmons has appeared in a diverse range of projects spanning from motion pictures, television and the stage on and off-Broadway.  He won the 2015 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of merciless jazz instructor, ‘Fletcher’ in Sony Pictures Classics’ “Whiplash.” His performance in the film also garnered him a Screen Actors Guild Award, Golden Globe, Independent Spirit Award and BAFTA Award, as well as many critics’ group awards around the world.  “Whiplash” premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and won the Dramatic Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize for Best Film.  The film also garnered five Academy Award nominations including Best Picture.  Simmons will next be seen in “The Union,” “Red One,” “SNL 1975,” and “Juror #2.”

In 2021, Simmons was seen starring alongside Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem in Amazon’s biographical drama about Lucile Ball, “Being the Ricardos” in which he received an Academy Award nomination.

Simmons was also seen starring in STX’s, “National Champions’ and starring alongside Chris Pratt in Amazon’s sci-fi thriller “The Tomorrow War.” 

In 2020, Simmons starred in Hulu’s “Palm Springs”, alongside Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti. He also appeared in the Apple TV+ miniseries, “Defending Jacob,” based on the 2012 novel of the same name.

In 2019, Simmons starred in the second season of the critically acclaimed Starz series “Counterpart” which began its run in 2017. Created by Justin Marks, Simmons portrays both primary characters as two vastly differing versions of themselves.  

In 2018, Simmons starred in Director Brian Kirk’s action thriller “21 Bridges,” alongside Sienna Miller, Taylor Kitsch and Chadwick Boseman. The film follows a disgraced NYPD detective (Boseman) who is thrust into a citywide manhunt for a cop killer. Simmons was also seen in Jason Reitman’s “The Front Runner” with Hugh Jackman and Vera Farmiga. He was recently seen in Universal’s thriller “The Snowman” with Michael Fassbender and Rebecca Ferguson and the Warner Bros. comedy “Father Figures” with Owen Wilson and Ed Helms.  In 2017, he was seen in the highly anticipated “Justice League” where he portrayed the iconic ‘Commissioner Gordon.’  

In 2016, Simmons voiced the character of Kai in Dreamworks’ highly anticipated “Kung Fu Panda 3” that released in January and voiced the character of ‘Mayor Leodore Lionheart’ in Disney’s “Zootopia” which released in March. Also in 2016, Simmons was seen in Sony Pictures Classics “The Meddler” with Susan Sarandon and Rose Byrne and Gavin O’Connor’s “The Accountant” with Ben Affleck and Anna Kendrick. Simmons also portrayed the real-life hero Jeff Pugliese in the 2016 Boston marathon film “Patriot’s Day” directed by Peter Berg. That same year Simmons completed production on an independent film entitled “I’m Not Here” which was directed by his wife Michelle Schumacher.  

He is known for playing the character J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi’s “Spider Man” trilogy and memorably, his portrayal of the off-beat but not deadbeat father, Mac McGuff, in the hit comedy “Juno.” 

Past projects include “Terminator: Genisys,” “Jobs,” “Labor Day,” “The Words,” “The Music Never Stopped,” “Jennifer’s Body,” “Extract,” “The Vicious Kind,” “I Love You Man,” “Beginner’s Guide to Endings,” “Contraband,” “Hidalgo,” “The Ladykillers,” “The Mexican,” “Off the Map,” “For Love of the Game,” “The Gift,” “Thank You for Smoking,” “Rendition,” “Burn After Reading” and the Academy Award-nominated “Up in the Air.” 

On the small screen, Simmons played LAPD Assistant Chief Will Pope in TNT’s hit series “The Closer.” He also played Vern Schillinger on HBO’s acclaimed drama “Oz,” and had a recurring role as Dr. Emil Skoda on NBC’s “Law & Order.” He has had guest starring roles on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” and a recurring role on TBS’ hit comedy “Men at Work.” Simmons has appeared on the Broadway stage in performances of “Guys and Dolls,” “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” “A Change in the Heir,” “Peter Pan” and “A Few Good Men.”  J.K. Simmons is repped by Gersh. 

Mena was born in Cairo, Egypt and raised in Markham, Ontario, Canada. He attended the University of Toronto for Neuroscience before transferring to Ryerson University’s notable theater program and graduating with a BFA in acting. He got his first big break starring in ABC Spark & Teen Nick’s mystery-drama television series “Open Heart” as “Jared Malik.”

After several years of acting in high-profile television and film projects, Massoud went on to star as “Tarek Kassar” in the highly-anticipated series “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”.

In 2018 it was announced that, after an extensive worldwide search and multiple auditions, he had landed the coveted role of “Aladdin” in the Disney live-action remake of “Aladdin,” directed by Guy Ritchie. After leading “Aladdin” to the highly coveted $1 Billion Dollar mark at the box office, Massoud went on to star in Netflix’s “The Royal Treatment” which became its #1 film worldwide for several weeks in a row in 2022.

Mena’s banner Press Play Productions was set up to address a growing need for diverse stories and content, particularly from the MENA region, which comprises fast-growing entertainment industries. The international expansion of streaming services such as Netflix into MENA has provided more commissioning opportunities for companies like Press Play. Mena Massoud is repped by LINK Entertainment, Gersh and Hensen, Jacobson, Teller & Hoberman.

For the Silo, Lon Haber.