David Dastmalchian Launches Genre-Focused Good Fiend Films

Actor David Dastmalchian is dipping his toes into the genre world in a pretty significant way, as he has launched a brand new production company called Good Fiend Films. The company’s aim, per Deadline, is to produce character-driven projects in the realm of sci-fi, horror and fantasy. This won’t be limited to movies either, as Dastmalchian’s company will also focus on TV, audio and publishing. This is, after all, the man behind Count Crowley.

Dastmalchian, for his part, has been an up-and-comer for the last several years, appearing in major blockbusters such as Dune and The Suicide Squad. Lovers of genre filmmaking may be familiar with him from movies such as The Belko Experiment or Netflix’s hit Bird Box. Meanwhile, he’s got some big horror projects on the way, including The Last Voyage of the Demeter, the true-crime drama Boston Strangler, and the adaptation of Stephen King’s The Boogeyman, which recently secured a theatrical release. Dastmalchian had this to say about his new venture in a statement:

“It’s an exciting time for elevated genres and I am grateful to be entering the marketplace with a strong collection of ideas and projects at various stages of creation. I have been blessed with the good fortune of collaborating with some of the best minds in entertainment and I have learned so much about myself and the craft of storytelling. At this stage in my journey of mental wellness and addiction recovery, I’m honored to be leading Good Fiend Films as we wrestle with tough questions through the entertaining lens of science fiction, horror, and superhero narratives.”

As for the first thing on the docket for Good Fiend Films, that honor belongs to Late Night with the Devil, which we’ve discussed here in the past. The film was produced by Dastmalchian and will bear his new company’s name. In it, he stars as a late-night talk show host in the ’70s that decides to do an on-air exorcism. Colin and Cameron Cairnes directed the film. No other projects have been announced as of yet, but based on Dastmalchian’s statement, it sounds like they already have several irons in the fire of varying sorts. One imagines it won’t be long before we hear more about what he’s got cooking.

Late Night with the Devil will premiere at SXSW in Austin, Texas in March.