ACCEPTED news
Description: Rising star Columbus Short featured in comedy

August 16, 2006

MULTI-TALENTED COLUMBUS SHORT STANDS TALL IN ACCEPTED

Columbus Short stars with Justin Long in Accepted, Universal Pictures’ socially subversive comedy for anyone who has ever felt the sting of rejection. The laugh-out-loud, outrageous comedy is scheduled for release August 18th. After a lifetime of smooth-talking their way through the system and questioning societal restrictions, two graduating high school seniors Bartleby, fondly called “B,” and Hands, played by Justin Long and Columbus Short, have found a quandary they can’t charm their way out of: College Admission. Out of desperation, the two found the “illustrious” South Harmon Institute of Technology (S.H.I.T.) along with a few eccentric friends in an abandoned psychiatric facility. Under their care, S.H.I.T. becomes a place where they can make their own rules, design curriculum and maintain complete control over their education. And they are not the only new students. The off-the-grid school appeals to scores of college cast-offs who gratefully (and unexpectedly) show up once they learn of the “we accept anyone” mentality of this new university.

Short says, “B and I are best friends and I trust and follow him. Initially, I start to wonder if this whole idea is going to really work or if we will end up going to jail. I think this movie will spark a true chord in, especially teenagers, because when you’re a teenager in high school, you just want the acceptance of your parents, period. You want to please them by being a good student, getting good grades and go to college.” Director Steven Pink is pleased with the way Short executed the role as the strong anchor to the craziness that surrounds him, “Columbus plays the one guy who completely backs B at all times, lending hope to the whole crazy idea.” As one of South Harmon’s founding members, Hands goes through a transformation as well. He goes from the stalwart football star into a creative sculptor. He is a hardcore athlete who recently lost his college scholarship due to a knee injury, however Hands also has the soul of a poet. Similar to the character he plays, Short was also a high school athlete who turned his talents to another medium because of an injury. “My step-dad encouraged me to play football, and I did in high school until I got injured. I had always been interested in performing arts. After I got hurt, it gave me the excuse to really delve into that.”

As an actor, choreographer and dancer, Short (Hands) is quickly making a name for himself. Short will next star in Save the Last Dance 2, for Paramount Pictures and MTV Films, in which he plays the male lead opposite Izabella Miko. He is currently in production as the lead of the Sony Screen Gems production Steppin’, for director Sylvain White. He will star in this film, co-starring Ne-Yo, Brian J. White and Meagan Good, as a young man who, after the death of his brother, is sent to live in Atlanta, where he is introduced to college and fraternity life. Short’s previous film credits include roles in War of the Worlds and You Got Served. His television credits include roles on ER, Judging Amy and That’s So Raven. Born in Kansas City, Short relocated to Los Angeles when he was five years old and immediately began working in youth theater, including a production of The Wizard of Oz. He attended the Orange County High School of the Arts before leaving to join the Broadway tour of Stomp. Upon completing his stint on the tour, Short returned to Los Angeles and began working as a choreographer and tour director—before returning to acting—for pop superstars such as Britney Spears, Ashanti and Brandy.

Universal Pictures presents Accepted from screenwriters Adam Cooper (New York Minute) & Bill Collage (New York Minute) and Mark Perez (Herbie: Fully Loaded), from a story by Perez. Louis G. Friedman (American Wedding) executive produces the project with Perez and Brian Lutz (Just Your Luck). The film is directed by Steve Pink and produced by Tom Shadyac and Michael Bostick. The partners—who have collaborated on such films as Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty and the upcoming Evan Almighty.

ACCEPTED OPENS ON AUGUST 18, 2006