Paramount Developing Medieval Times Family Comedy With Eric Appel Directing

Paramount Pictures is in early development on a live-action family comedy based on Medieval Times, with Eric Appel attached to direct and Blaise Hemingway set to write the script, according to Deadline.

The story is set against the backdrop of the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament show. John Davis and Chris Bender will produce the film.

John Fox, Jeremy Stein, Jake Weiner and Jake Wagner will executive produce alongside Medieval Times President and CEO Perico Montaner.

Prior attempts and the Medieval Times brand

In 2013, Chris Bender's former company Benderspink teamed with Todd Garner's Broken Road to lock down rights for a Medieval Times film. Medieval Times is a live dinner theater experience where guests watch knights perform mounted combat, jousting, stunt riding and sword fighting. The Buena Park, California location was established in 1986, and the company's roots go back to 1960s Spain, where José Montaner established a medieval-themed dinner-and-entertainment venue. Medieval Times expanded to North America in 1983 with a location in Kissimmee, Florida, and has entertained more than 72 million guests.

Appel directed Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, which won the People's Choice Award – Midnight Madness Award at TIFF, and the TriStar family comedy The Breadwinner starring Nate Bargatze. Hemingway previously penned Clifford the Big Red Dog for Paramount.