Scarlett Johansson on Netflix’s Nancy Meyers Movie – The Hollywood Reporter

Nancy Myers, Scarlett Johansson, Owen Wilson, Michael Fassbender, and Penelope Cruz

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Nancy Meyers’ return to the director’s chair began.

After not directing a movie since 2015 the ApprenticeThe director known for her high-end romantic comedies is back with a project that will attract A-list talent. Multiple sources say Scarlett Johansson is set to play the lead role in Meyers’ upcoming feature for Netflix Hollywood Reporterwith Penelope Cruz, Owen Wilson, and Michael Fassbender also eyeing the project.

Netflix has no comment.

Myers will write, direct and produce the comedy, which is currently known as Paris Paramountalthough it is not clear whether this is the actual title, the working title, or the codename.

Sources say the story tells of a talented young writer/director who falls in love with a producer, and they end up making several hit films before calling it quits on an emotional and professional relationship. Forced to get back together when a great new project arises, the two find themselves together again and must deal with high stakes and fickle stars.

There are many similarities to Myers’ own life. After meeting while working in Hollywood, Myers formed a long-term romantic and professional relationship with Charles Scheer, a writer, director, and producer. The couple married and had an enviable output that included films like Private Benjamin, Baby Boom, The Parent Trap, And father of the bride. Myers and Cher split, with Myers going on to write and direct such films as Gotta do something And Holiday.

The project is currently eyeing a budget of $130 million to $150 million – which means it could be the most expensive romantic comedy to come out of Hollywood – with the studio and filmmakers going back and forth on costs, as first Reported by Puck. It’s been in the works for quite some time, with the studio first announcing the feature in April of last year. The previous incarnation that ran late last year had Jennifer Lawrence eyeing the lead before the Oscar winner exited for unspecified reasons.

Romantic comedies have always been the mid-budget realm, but Myers commanded prices on the higher end of the genre. Its productions have earned themselves a place in the rom-com annals, with architectural digest-Designing productions worthy of calling cards for mega stars like Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.

Myers directed the 2015 comedy Last Time the Apprentice, starring Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro, but she hasn’t returned to acting in nearly a decade. (Feature produced At home again (which was written and directed by her daughter, Hayley Myers-Schier.) “I’m taking a break,” Myers said in a 2019 conversation with Mindy Kaling at the annual Produce By convention. She also discussed the disappearance of mid-budget comedies like herself from the theatrical market: “The business has changed in a way that I kind of don’t recognize.” Meyers law included It is complicated And What do women want.

Johansson was last seen in a Marvel feature Black Widow And it’s set for the new Wes Anderson movie Asteroid City. Cruz is assigned to Michael Mann FerrariWilson will next appear in the Disney movie Haunted Palaceand Fassbender’s Set on Searchlight and Taika Waititi The next target wins.