EXCLUSIVE: Voltage Pictures and Vertical have acquired worldwide rights to romantic comedy The Last Resort, starring Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Alden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park franchise) and Tia Carrere (Wayne’s World).
Voltage will handle international sales and screenings at the upcoming Cannes market, while Vertical will release domestically in 2027.
Donald Petrie (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) directs the completed film, which was written by Karen McCullah (Legally Blonde).
Shot on location in the Philippines, the film follows a driven New York hotel executive (Ridley) who travels to the islands to scout a luxury resort location, but an unexpected romance with an expatriate pilot (Ehrenreich) forces her to choose between the career she’s built and a life she’s never imagined.
Cast also includes Vondie Curtis-Hall (Die Hard 2), Beck Bennett (Superman), and Jo Koy (Haunted Mansion).
Asia Pacific Films produced the film along with Ernesto “Bong” Sta. Maria Jr. (Rosario) and Raja Collins (True Memoirs of an International Assassin), with co-producers Simon Heo, Akshay Mehta, Rick Dugdale, Lope Juban Jr., JoAnn Bañaga, and Nikolo Juban. The film is executive-produced and fully financed by Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of the MVP Group of Companies in the Philippines.
The deal was negotiated by Nicolas Chartier on behalf of Voltage, by Jarowey and SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi on behalf of Vertical, and by CAA Media Finance and Gersh on behalf of the filmmakers.
“Donald has a real instinct for finding the heart in these kinds of stories, and Karen writes characters that feel honest and lived-in,” said producers Ernesto “Bong” Sta. Maria Jr. and Raja Collins. “Bringing them together on The Last Resort felt like a natural fit for the kind of romantic story we wanted to tell.”
Alexandra Cocean, President of Global Sales and Distribution at Voltage Pictures, added: “The Last Resort combines globally recognized filmmakers and cast with sweeping, cinematic visuals that showcase the Philippines as both a character and a destination. It’s the kind of romantic comedy that connects with audiences looking for both escapism and emotion.”
“Donald and Karen represent a rare and proven pedigree in the romantic comedy space, with a track record that includes some of the genre’s most enduring titles,” added Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey. “We’re excited to bring their first collaboration to audiences, elevated further by the pairing of Daisy Ridley and Alden Ehrenreich. The Last Resort is a standout addition to our slate, and we’re proud to be releasing it in the U.S. next year.”
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