The Machine: Bert Kreischer’s hilarious tale being adapted into feature film

Fans might recognize Bert Kreischer’s name from comedy clubs and his Netflix standups but he’s about to make an impression on moviegoers everywhere with The Machine.

The story for which The Machine is based on sounds too outrageous to believe but Bert Kreischer somehow makes it feel like the truth during his comedy routine. In it, he tells audiences how he became involved with the Russian Mafia on a trip abroad. His dealings with them eventually led to a situation where Kreischer inadvertently participated in a train robbery.

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Legendary Entertainment has made an option on Kreischer’s story to adapt it into a feature film. The news comes via Variety, though their report doesn’t indicate whether The Machine will be released theatrically or on a streaming service.

Kreischer currently has two standups available on Netflix so perhaps that would be the best avenue for The Machine. Netflix subscribers are already familiar with Kreischer’s routine, making it the best platform to build on. Of course, Legendary may have plans for a theatrical release instead.

Wherever the movie goes, what’s of interest is who’ll be cast as the titular character. He’d presumably look similar to Kreischer unless the producers decide to make The Machine a serious film, in which case, they could take creative liberties with the cast.

Whoever helms the project is now tasked with deciding whether to make The Machine a serious movie or one rife with humor. Both these options are viable and that raises the question of which route the producers will take.

On the one hand, they have a story where an American student winds up embroiled in a train robbery all because he spent a night out drinking with Russian gangsters. And on the other, The Machine could be given a lighter vibe where the train robbery happens while no one onboard has any clue. Think The Hangover 3 but Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong) is replaced by the Russian Mafia.

In my opinion, the premise stands to make for a better action-comedy than an entirely serious film. A drama based on Kreischer’s story could work but the idea of an American tourist traveling abroad isn’t a new concept. It’s happened in plenty of movies before so a twist on the initial concept is necessary for The Machine to work.

Are you excited for The Machine? Let us know in the comments.