James Franco, Nick Antonyan & Gene Simmons Wrap Cloud9 Studios’ Comedy ‘Love Meets In The Sunshine’

EXCLUSIVE: Cloud9 Studios has finished filming the elevated, character-driven comedy, Love Meets in the Sunshine, starring Academy Award nominee James Franco (127 Hours, The Disaster Artist), Cloud 9 co-founder Nick Antonyan and KISS rocker Gene Simmons (Michael Crichton’s Runaway). 

Love Meets in the Sunshine was written and directed by Christian Guiton and based on a story by Antonyan and Guiton.  After a chance encounter, a terminally ill ball of sunshine (Franco) talks a grumpy drifter (Antonyan) into driving him across the desert to meet a maybe-real doctor (Forrie J. Smith). What should be a quick trip becomes a wild, chaotic, and heartwarming ride that changes them in ways neither saw coming.

Nicky Whelan (The Wedding Ringer, Hall Pass, Halloween II), Forrie J. Smith (“Yellowstone,” Hell or High Water, Transamerica) and Quinton Aaron (The Blind Side, Mothers and Daughters, Halfway) also star with a special appearance by comedian Aries Spears (Jerry Maguire, Why Do Fools Fall in Love?).

The film is financed by Cloud9 Studios and produced by co-founders Noli Molla and Jacques Abrahamian.

Currently in post-production, the production shot across Socorro and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

“James delivers nuance, soul, and sharp comedic instincts and the level of his craft lifts every scene,” says Guiton. “Nick and I have worked together for almost a decade on various web projects, but films have always been our goal.  To finally make it happen is beyond words,” Guiton shares.

“Nick brings both heart and hilarity,” the filmmaker adds.

“Working with James was a privilege,” adds producer Noli Molla. “His commitment and artistry set the tone for the entire production and Christian is a filmmaker with a powerful voice and the ability to blend sharp comedic instincts with grounded emotional storytelling.” 

“Gene’s presence added electricity to the set,” adds producer Jacques Abrahamian. “He’s larger-than-life, and audiences are going to love what he brings to the screen. And Christian brought vision, discipline and truth to the film.  He’s a filmmaker with a powerful new voice.”

“By financing the film internally we retain complete creative control, it lets us move fast and protect the film’s creative identity,” said Cloud9 CEO Noli Molla.

“Cloud9 is building something powerful,” added Cloud9 CFO Jacques Abrahamian. “Our independence allows bold creative swings, and this film proves what we can achieve.”

Franco is represented by CAA and Anonymous Content.   Simmons is represented by CAA.  Antonyan and Guiton are represented by Cloud9 Studios.