Luke Barnett and Noam Kroll
Luke Fontana; Josh Pafchek
Faith Based actor Luke Barnett is set to star in Teacher’s Pet, the fourth feature from writer and director Noam Kroll.
Launch Releasing will finance, produce and distribute the indie set to start production in Los Angeles in early January 2024. The project signed a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement just before the Hollywood actors strike ended.
A Funny or Die regular, Barnett co-wrote, acted in and produced Faith Based, a satire on the Christian film industry, which was toplined by Jason Alexander, Lance Reddick and Margaret Cho. He also produced Your Lucky Day, which starred the late Angus Cloud.
Barnett will appear in the fourth season of AppleTV+’s sci-fi drama For All Mankind and the indies Tapawingo, opposite Jon Heder, and Tonic, with Lori Petty.
Teacher’s Pet is set to portray a malevolent new high school teacher with a sinister past who becomes disturbingly fixated on a brilliant female student. As he unveils his true sociopathic nature, the young woman is forced to navigate a treacherous battle of wits to survive high school.
Launch Releasing’s founder and CEO Sheldon Brigman will produce Teacher’s Pet with Richard Handley, Kroll, Kayli Fortun and Brian Hanson. Barnett, Brigman, Kelby Thwaits and Charles Bunce will executive produce.
“We’re so excited that Luke is bringing his considerable creative talents to our film and team. We’ve been blown away by Luke’s approach to this complex character and can’t wait to bring this multi-layered and powerful thriller to audiences,” Brigman said in a statement on Monday.
Barnett is repped by Reign, Stride Management and attorney Chris Abramson.
