EXCLUSIVE: Howie Mandel, Bobby Lee, and Caroline Rhea are joining the mass comedic ensemble of Adam Rifkin’s Toad.
The trio join already announced James Paxton, Oliver Wyman, Tiffany Haddish, James Franco, Christopher Meloni, Katt Williams, and Craig Robinson in the story of two hapless friends who accidentally ingest psychedelic toad venom and embark on a chaotic desert journey filled with bizarre encounters and questionable decisions.
The first feature production from Laugh Factory Studios is currently shooting in California for anticipated summer 2026 release.
Rifkin directs off a screenplay he wrote with Piers Ashworth. Brad Wyman (Oscar-winning Monster), Michael P.J. Gerstein of futureIII Entertainment Corporation, and Mike Kolko are producing. Chris Hanley Muse productions is also producing. Toad is executive produced by David Fuhrer, Jamie Masada, and John Weiser.
“Toad is the kind of movie that grabs you by the funny bone and doesn’t let go,” said David Fuhrer, President of the Laugh Factory and Executive Producer of the film. “Having Howie, Bobby, and Caroline join this cast is like adding jet fuel to a rocket. It’s bold, hysterical, and exactly what we dreamed of when launching Laugh Factory Studios.”
Said Mandel, “I am as excited as being in Toad as I am in having this quote in Deadline.”
The Deal or No Deal host and EP, and co-creator of Bobby’s World and stand-up is repped by WME and 3 Arts Entertainment. Rhea, the star of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Phineas and Ferb, is repped by Gersh and Innovative Artists. MadTV alum, stand-up and star of New Year’s Rev, Happy Gilmore 2, Jackpot!, and Drugstore June, is repped by CAA and Leviton Management.
