The idea for the outlandish comedy Tomcats came to Gregory Poirier when he overheard a couple of guys discussing their own bachelor bet. Intrigued by the idea, he researched the topic and soon learned this type of bet was pretty common. With this wager as a starting point, Poirier created the Tomcats, a group of young single guys committed to enjoying their single, sexually-charged lives in spite of the fact that adult responsibility is looming.
When Poirier completed the screenplay, he shared it with veteran producers Alan Riche and Tony Ludwig. Riche and Ludwig were enthusiastic after reading the script for the bawdy comedy and joined with Poirier to produce the project.
Key to the filmmakers’ approach when assembling their cast was finding actors who were adept at managing the outrageous comedic bits and gags the script demanded, particularly with the role of Michael Delaney, the affable out-of-work cartoonist. Riche and Ludwig brought in Eagle Cove executive and co-producer Peter Riche, a former talent manager who was well connected within the realm of young Hollywood, to put together a short list of possible actors.
Poirier and the producers met early on with actor Jerry O’Connell, who had just co-starred in Mission to Mars opposite Tim Robbins and Gary Sinise. O’Connell was looking for a follow-up project and was drawn to the idea of doing a far-out comedy. Says O’Connell, "I came to this project wanting to have the opportunity to go nuts… and I have. I do some pretty crazy stuff—stuff that we’re normally not allowed to do in our everyday lives."
"I would have to say that I am a Tomcat and all my friends are Tomcats," he says with laugh. "I’ve spent the last couple of years researching this role—it’s almost autobiographical."
With O’Connell signed on, the filmmakers then focused their attention on finding an actress who could hold her own opposite Michael’s increasingly crazy behavior. They met with several actresses, but it was Shannon Elizabeth, who had starred in the runaway hit comedy American Pie as Nadia, the sexy exchange student, who really stood out. Everyone was immediately taken with the appealing combination of her wry sense of humor, intelligence and subtle edge, which was essential to make the young but jaded character of Natalie believable. Remarks Poirier, "I knew when I met her, she’d be perfect. She was funny and beautiful, and she brought a lot of range and depth of emotion to the character."
With a strong script and both O’Connell and Elizabeth, two of young Hollywood’s brightest talents, attached to the project, Riche and Ludwig were ready to shop the project around.
Enter Revolution Studios, then the newly formed company founded by former Walt Disney Studio chief Joe Roth. He could not overlook this ready-made opportunity for his studio’s first film project.
Roth formed Revolution Studios in January 2000. Revolution Studios independently produces and finances films, partnering with three of the premiere media companies in the world—Sony Pictures, Starz Encore Group & Fox Entertainment Group. Revolution Studios has also partnered with today’s box-office powerhouses Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis and Adam Sandler to produce and star in Revolution Studios films. Among the films Revolution Studios will soon be releasing, in addition to Tomcats, are The New Guy, with D.J. Qualls; TheAnimal, with Rob Schneider; Black Hawk Down, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Ridley Scott; The One, starring Jet Li; Project 3, starring Julia Roberts; Man of War, starring Bruce Willis; and the Paul Thomas Anderson film X-4, starring Adam Sandler.
Movie Database
In Theaters
