Rob Lowe and Keith David to star in My New Friend Jim

Sumerian Pictures announced today that award winning actors Rob Lowe (“The West Wing,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Unstable”) and Keith David (The Lowdown, Platoon, The Thing, They Live, “Greenleaf”) will star in My New Friend Jim, a character-driven dark comedy about two fathers from vastly different worlds who form an unlikely bond while searching for a runaway daughter in Reno. Ash Avildsen (Queen of the Ring) directs the film, which is currently in production in Reno and Tahoe, NV.

My New Friend Jim explores themes of fatherhood, morality, and redemption through the story of two men forced to confront their pasts and principles.

Produced by Anthony Mastromauro (The Old Man and The Gun, Finding Steve McQueen), and Ash Avildsen (Queen of the Ring). Brad LaFave is on board as co-producer, with Paul Leighton, Angelene Tania Grode and Rob Lowe serving as executive producers,

“My New Friend Jim is a twistedly heartfelt, universal story of how far dads will go for their kids and how parenthood erases the lines we draw between classes. Set in the gloriously offbeat city of Reno, it’s a reminder that it’s never too late to find a friend in the unlikeliest place” stated Director Ash Avildsen. “I couldn’t be more thrilled with how Rob and Keith are bringing these two men, who are worlds apart but hilariously bound by circumstance, to life on screen.”

​​One of America’s favorite actors, Lowe has been working across film and television for over five decades, from starring roles in St. Elmo’s Fire and The Outsiders to acclaimed series including “The West Wing,” “Parks and Recreation,” and the Netflix comedy “Unstable,” which he also co-created and produced.  Rob currently hosts and produces the Fox hit game show “The Floor,” now in its fourth season and renewed for season five. Lowe is also an acclaimed author and host of the hit podcast “Literally! With Rob Lowe.” Most recently, Rob starred in and produced five seasons of FOX’s highly acclaimed 911 Texas-set spinoff “911: Lone Star,” which was consistently one of the top-rated shows in all of television. Next up, Lowe will star in and produce Bleecker Street’s horror film The Third Parent alongside Crispin Glover. He recently wrapped production in LA on the indie dark comedy The Musical alongside Tony-winner Will Brill and Gillian Jacobs. Lowe produces this film as well. Lowe is represented by WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

Keith David, an Emmy-winning actor is known for his work in the Ken Burn’s series Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson, The War and Jackie Robinson, as well as Platoon, The Thing, and They Live, among his many memorable performances over five decades.  David currently stars in FX’s The Lowdown and HBO Max’s Duster. His upcoming projects include the film The Ogilvy Fortune and the Rick and Morty spinoff President Curtis. He is represented by Verve Talent & Literary Agency and DVFI Management.

Ash Avildsen is a filmmaker, entrepreneur, and the creative mind behind Sumerian Entertainment, which includes Sumerian Records, Sumerian Comics and Sumerian Pictures. The son of Oscar-winning director John Avildsen, Ash has built a career across music, film, and TV. He made a splash in filmmaking with American Satan and its follow-up series Paradise City, and most recently wrote and directed Queen of the Ring, the inspiring true story of Mildred Burke, the first female athlete to earn a million-dollar purse in professional wrestling. With My New Friend Jim, Ash continues to tell bold, character-driven stories that explore complex human relationships.

Sumerian is an artists-led independent creative studio celebrating 19 years of making music as Sumerian Records, more recently expanding into film, published media, and graphic novels under the banner of Sumerian Comics. Founded by Ash Avildsen, Sumerian Records has earned Grammy nominations and top charting hits. Musicians on the Sumerian label include: Bad Omens, Poppy, Palaye Royale, Des Rocs, Bones UK, and The Smashing Pumpkins. Sumerian Pictures will theatrically release the upcoming romantic comedy, MILE END KICKS, directed by Chandler Levack and starring Barbie Ferreira. Sumerian Pictures recent theatrical releases include QUEEN OF THE RING, starring Emily Bett Rickards, Josh Lucas, and Walton Goggins; DIVINITY, which premiered at Sundance and was executive produced by Steven Soderbergh; and TURNSTILE: NEVER ENOUGH, which premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival. In addition to founding Sumerian, Avildsen is a filmmaker, most recently writing, directing, and producing QUEEN OF THE RING.