Neon and VICE Acquire Harmony Korine’s ‘Beach Bum’ Starring Matthew McConaughey

U.S. rights for Harmony Korine‘s forthcoming comedy Beach Bum have been acquired by upstarts Neon and VICE, according to reports coming out of Deadline and Variety. The film, which is due to begin production this fall with planned release sometime next year, will star Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey and marks Korine’s first feature since his 2013 arthouse hit Spring Breakers, the provocative James Franco-led comedy/commentary that proved a solid launching pad for A24 Films.

The film, written and directed by Korine, tells the misadventures of a rogue (yet lovable) rebel named Moondog (in a role that may prove quite symbiotic for McConaughey). As from Spring Breakers, Korine has directed notable indies including Gummo, Julien Donkey-Boy and Mister Lonely. He made a huge impression at the start of the career as the writer of the controversial 1995 title Kids.

Neon commented on the acquisition, “We’ve been huge fans of the singularly talented Harmony Korine for a very long time now. Together with our good friends at VICE we’re tickled to death to launch The Beach Bum, which promises to be a wild, crazy and intoxicating piece of cinema.”

While VICE’s Chief Creative Officer Eddy Moretti commented, “Harmony is like family to me, and to all of us at VICE for over a decade. And finally we can work together creatively on his most ambitious, hilarious, and oddly existential film. And this is just the beginning of making more movie magic with Harmony. We have lots of wonderfully weird things up our sleeves. I’d also like to say that in Tom Quinn and Tim League of NEON, VICE has found a true partnership based on friendship, trust, and common artistic sensibilities. More to come from VICE and NEON as well!”

McConaughey was last seen on screens in Gold. He will soon appear in the hotly anticipated Stephen King adaptation The Dark Tower opposite Idris Elba and is currently filming the crime drama White Boy Rick for ’71 director Yann Demange. The actor won an Academy Award for his leading role in Dallas Buyers Club (2013).