Hulu Buys Derek DelGaudio’s ‘In & Of Itself’ Movie Directed by Frank Oz (EXCLUSIVE)

Hulu has landed rights to “Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself,” the movie version of illusionist’s one-man stage show that ran Off-Broadway.

The Frank Oz-directed film will debut on Hulu on Jan. 22, 2021.

“In & Of Itself” was filmed live in an intimate New York City theater. The show, exploring themes of identity and illusion, is intentionally described in a vague nature. Oz maintains that audiences need to watch the film to understand.

“One of the things I love about ‘In & Of Itself’ is that it can’t be explained. It has to be seen. And now it can be — on Hulu,” Oz said. “And I can’t wait to hear people’s reaction to it.”

In a review for IndieWire, critic Eric Kohn called the 90-minute feature a mix of “stage trickery and alluring autobiographical asides.” He wrote, “DelGaudio transforms the usual shock-and-awe routine into a powerful meditation on existential yearning and his own bumpy quest for meaning in life.”

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“In & Of Itself” was executive produced by Stephen Colbert and his wife Evelyn McGee Colbert, as well as Daryl Roth and Tom Werner. Glenn Kaino, Vanessa Lauren and Jake Friedman served as producers.

“Evie and I are honored to have helped Derek and Frank create this beautiful and mysterious film,” Colbert said.

Oz, who directed movies including “In & Out,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” and “Death at a Funeral” and voiced characters on “Star Wars,” “Muppets” and “Sesame Street,” also staged “In & Of Itself” during its Off-Broadway run and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. The stage show, which was backed by Neil Patrick Harris, was initially supposed to play Off Broadway for 10 weeks but ended up extending its stint for 72 weeks.

“In & Of Itself” was originally slated to screen at this year’s South by Southwest Film Festival, which was canceled due to the pandemic. Instead, the movie is having its world premiere at the Montclair Film Festival.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this film,” DelGaudio said. “It’s unlike anything that exists and I can’t wait for everyone to see it on Hulu.”

The deal was negotiated by Submarine Entertainment and Ramo Law on behalf of the filmmakers.

View this article at Variety.