Exclusive: After working together on Ted Melfi’s acclaimed coming-of-age drama Vincent StreetNaomi Watt (Feud: Cabot vs. Swans(And Bill Murray)Ghostbusters: The Frozen Empire) is set on the main line the friendadapted from Sigrid Nunez’s New York Times bestselling novel, by writer-directors Scott McGhee and David Siegel (Montana story).
Others set to star in the independent film include Sarah Pidgeon (Beautiful little things), Golden Globe Award nominee Constance Wu (Crazy rich asians), Emmy Award winner Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Noma Dumezweni (observer).
Winner of the 2018 National Book Award for Fiction, the friend It follows a New York writer in the wake of the unexpected death of her lifelong friend and mentor. After that, she’s left to deal with his complicated literary legacy, three eccentric ex-wives — and a hulking, heartbroken Dane named Apollo.
Siegel & McGehee are currently producing the film in New York through their new company, Big Creek Projects. Also produced under the 3dot Productions banner (the lost City, Anatomy of a scandal), after collaborating with Watts on a limited series for Showtime Loudest voiceThis is Lisa Chasen. Watts also serves as an executive producer on the film, alongside Big Creek’s Mike Spreiter and 3dot Productions’ Margaret Chernin. CAA Media Finance represents the domestic rights to the film.
Currently, Watts can be seen playing socialite Babe Paley Feud: Cabot vs. Swansthe final season of Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed FX anthology runner, which premiered at the end of January. He also recently collaborated with Murphy on his popular Netflix series observerShe will next be seen playing the lead role in the drama Emmanuelfrom Venice Prize winner Audrey Dewan (Happening).
The following roles in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantum Obsession, Ghostbusters: Afterlife And French missionMurray will reprise his role as Ghostbuster Peter Venkman Ghostbusters: The Frozen Empirewhich will be released by Sony on March 22.
McGee and Siegel came the friend After writing, directing and producing Montana story, a sister drama starring Haley Lu Richardson and Owen Teague, which was acquired by Bleecker Street from TIFF. Before that, the duo directed the popular drama about a custody battle What Maisie knew, starring Julianne Moore and Alexander Skarsgard, which debuted at the same festival. The duo’s other previous credits include the romantic thriller suspicion With Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a family drama Bee season Starring Richard Gere and Juliette Binoche, crime drama The deep end With Tilda Swinton.
Watts is repped by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; Murray by Nochimson’s law; Pidgeon by Gersh, Anonymous Content, and Jackoway Austin Terman; Wu by CAA, LA Entertainment Director, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; Dowd for Innovative Artists and Principal Entertainment LA; and Dumezweni by Conway Van Gelder Grant and Principal Entertainment LA.
Siegel & McGehee and Big Creek are represented by Black Bear and Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz. 3dot Productions is working with Hansen, Jacobson and Teller.