De père en flic became the highest-grossing French-language film ever released in Canada as its box office ascended to $11 million in Quebec alone.

And the action-comedy’s commercial success was a significant factor in Playback choosing Denise Robert as Producer of the Year, even prior to Sony Pictures acquiring the rights to adapt the smash hit into English as Fathers and Guns.

Columbia Pictures presidents Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach announced the film will be adapted as Fathers and Guns by Hollywood’s hottest producers – Frank Marshall amd Kathleen Kennedy.

‘I wish I could grow up and be like her!’ laughs Playback’s Producer of the Year, regarding Kennedy’s remarkable filmography. ‘She’s one of the most successful producers in the world.’

Indeed, Kennedy has one of the most enviable track records on earth – she’s produced all of Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park blockbusters, as well as some critically acclaimed winners such as The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Persepolis and Snow Falling on Cedars.

De père en flic is an action-comedy about two cops, a father and son (Michel Côté and Louis-José Houde) who can’t stand each other. They are assigned to an investigation to infiltrate an outdoor adventure group-therapy camp for fathers and sons.

‘We feel that the story and characters that made Fathers and Guns a local phenomenon will make our film connect with audiences everywhere,’ says Tolmach. ‘The film combines the strengths of a great, classic comedy cop thriller with a hilarious look at a dysfunctional father-son relationship.’

The Canadian creative team – Robert, Ian Lauzon and director Émile Gaudreault – will also be involved in the English-lingo version. ‘It’s very respectful when they ask you to stay involved,’ says Robert. ‘And it’s great to have the opportunity to work with people we admire on American soil,’ and not just work with Americans in Canada sometimes.

Robert says the deal was in negotiations for two months and will ‘bring in some money for the writer and director and a bit of money for us, but contrary to what people think, it doesn’t make you rich.’ FunFilm Distrubution is handling other international sales.