Monarch Media is producing Jonathan Yew's dramedy feature film Goldfish for the first time

EXCLUSIVE: In his first foray as a screenwriter, Jonathan Yu is currently on the way to a script: Monarch Media has announced that he will produce his coming-of-age drama Goldfish. Goldfish focuses on a 17-year-old high school student who presents himself as detached, sarcastic, and emotionally armored, but underneath is quietly paralyzed by fear […]

EXCLUSIVE: In his first foray as a screenwriter, Jonathan Yu is currently on the way to a script: Monarch Media has announced that he will produce his coming-of-age drama Goldfish.

Goldfish centers on a 17-year-old high school student who presents himself as detached, sarcastic, and emotionally armored, but underneath is quietly crippled by his fear of failure, abandonment, and parenthood.

Set to produce for Monarch, Steve Barnett, Alan Powell and Vicky Patel are currently on the hunt to direct the project. Related News News Kali Bailey is adapting from Al. Frank Baum's 'The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus' for Monarch Media Cast, Nick Jonas for New Netflix Rom-Com from Director Ari Sandel

Patel, whom Yu had contacted via cold email, was hooked after reading his script and immediately brought it to his colleagues. Watch on Deadline

"Every once in a while, you get a completely original coming-of-age script that's full of humor, angst and teenage angst, and this is one of those," Patel said. "Jonathan has done a fantastic job of creating a story that we can all relate to, and we can't wait to bring it to life."

A human biology major at UC San Diego, Yu has loved storytelling since discovering the Harry Potter books and movies like Jurassic Park and Goodwill Hunting. He didn't recognize screenwriting as a career option until he entered college. While Goldfish is not autobiographical, the script draws on his years on his high school swim team. He is repped by 831 Entertainment.

Monarch Media is best known for its work on Richard Linklater's acclaimed film Hit Man starring Glenn Powell. The company's adult animated feature Tangles, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Seth Rogen and Bryan Cranston, is in contention for an Oscar after premiering at Cannes to critical acclaim. Most recently, the company launched its babies comedy starring Rogen and Anna Kendrick at the Toronto Film Festival. They are currently prepping a feature reboot of A Walk to Remember as well as an untitled Nick Jonas rom-com for Netflix, which will begin production in January.

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Wow, such an inspiring story! Excited to watch this. Congratulations!!