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Out of Order Studios Moves Ahead with First Buddy Comedy Starring Actors with Down Syndrome

via Business Wire

Executive Producers of the hit TV show The Chosen, Chad Gundersen and Chris Juen, announce a history-making film project with producer Aaron Scotti (The Peanut Butter Falcon) from a script by writer/director/producer Chris Dowling (Where Hope Grows).

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The groundbreaking feature, Monsters vs. Muncy, stars Zack Gottsagen (The Peanut Butter Falcon) and David DeSanctis (Where Hope Grows). It is the first buddy comedy to star two individuals with Down Syndrome. Lauren Potter (Glee) also stars in the film.

When two best friends, David (DeSanctis) and Josh (Gottsagen), discover a cadre of monsters invading their small town of Muncy, they rally their ragtag team to heroically battle the creatures in hopes to save the world from certain doom.

Monsters vs. Muncy has already garnered excitement and gained national support from several special needs organizations including Best Buddies and the National Down Syndrome Society.

"I truly do believe that people with disabilities are the real superheroes and as noted in the script, their hearts are their superpowers. Thank you for crafting a story that presents people with Down syndrome as intelligent, funny and capable leaders, but most importantly, as human beings. We look forward to supporting the film and helping spread awareness among our participants and supporters once it hits theaters." — Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Best Buddies International

A recent article noted "people with disabilities represent 28.8% of the viewing and purchasing audience in the U.S. (more than 70 million people), or about 16% of the world's population (1 billion people). In 2022, only 1.9% of speaking characters in the top 100 films had a disability according to a recent study." — Jan 27, 2025 https://variety.com/2025/biz/news/creatives-with-disabilities-building-careers-changing-industry-1236271242/

“We are doing something that has never been done before and are proud to have this amazing team and talented actors assembled. Representation is so important, and we look forward to finding other partners that see the vision and want to change the world with us through film.” — Chris Dowling, Writer/Director/Producer

The movie is set to shoot in Texas.

Zack Gottsagen is represented by Gary Ousdahl at Advanced Management. David DeSanctis is repped by Katie McGrath at Arise Artists Agency, and Lauren Potter is represented by Ray Hughes at rhm.

Contacts