HBO Max is adding to its content library in a major way. The streaming service announced they acquired the worldwide rights to Seth Rogen and Point Grey Pictures’ “An American Pickle.” Though the streaming service will be launching on May 27, the launch date for the film is yet to be announced.
“An American Pickle” is based on the 2013 New Yorker series, “Sell Out” written by Simon Rich. The film sees Rogen in dual leading roles, as he plays Herschel Greenbaum, a struggling laborer who immigrates to America in 1920 with dreams of building a better life for his beloved family. After being encapsulated in a vat of pickles for 100 years, he emerges in present day Brooklyn, and learns that his only surviving relative is his great grandson, Ben Greenbaum whom he also plays.
“HBO Max is in the market for motion pictures that stand out. And ‘An American Pickle’ does stand out—with Seth in this wonderfully original, funny, and heartfelt film that we look forward to debuting this summer,” stated Kevin Reilly, chief content officer at HBO Max, president, TNT, TBS and truTV.
HBO Max will launch in May 27 at $14.99 a month — the same price as HBO Now. Original shows include “The Flight Attendant,” a one-hour thriller series starring and co-produced by Kaley Cuoco; “Love Life,” a 10-episode half-hour romantic comedy anthology series starring and co-produced by Anna Kendrick; and “Dune: The Sisterhood,” an adaptation of Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson’s book based in the world created by Frank Herbert’s book “Dune.”
Earlier, parent company WarnerMedia announced they struck a distribution deal with Apple, bringing the streaming service to Apple users at launch. The service will be available via iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD. Those with second and third generation Apple TV models can cast HBO Max content from their iPhone or iPad to their TVs using AirPlay.
Current HBO Now customers who are billed through the App Store and those who are subscribed to HBO through Apple TV channels will get the service for free, Deadline reported. New customers of HBO Max will have the ability to subscribe to the service directly in the app using in-app purchase.