We’ve been thrilled to see how comedian-turned-director Michael Showalter has flourished in recent years, and he’s now being recruited by Amazon MGM Studios and Miramax for a new take on the 2001 rom-com “Serendipity.”
That neat report from Deadline reveals that Showalter is being tasked with remaking the pic that originally starred John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale as a couple who left their relationship to fate, breaking up only to be reunited. Of course, while Showalter has been making moves toward more dramatic projects with his latest flick, the psychological thriller “Verity,” he has dabbled in the rom-com genre with projects such as “The Big Sick,” “The Lovebirds,” and “The Idea of You.”
If you’re not familiar, here is the basic gist of the original:
In the course of one magical evening, Jonathan (Cusack) and Sara (Beckinsale) meet unexpectedly … then part without expectation when she decides they must let fate determine if they are meant to be together. Years later, they are both engaged to others but cannot give up the dream that — despite time, distance, and the obstacles that conspire to keep them apart — they will one day meet again.
A script will be penned by Marc Klein, who wrote the 2001 version as well, and the outlet reports that casting is already underway. Showalter and Jordana Mollick are producing at Semi-Formal Productions, alongside Simon Fields, who had produced the previous iteration. A group of executive producers features Jonathan Glickman, Alexandra Loewy, and Thom Zadra at Miramax, alongside Klein. Emily Crook is also overseeing the project for Semi-Formal, which has nabbed a multi-year, first-look film deal with Amazon MGM Studios, while Arianna D’Andrea is going to be overseeing for Miramax.
After Showalter has worked on multiple projects with Kumail Nanjiani and Anne Hathaway (featured alongside Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett in “Verity”), we wouldn’t be entirely shocked if they’re considered for parts in the remake, even if they don’t play the main leads (can’t rule that out). So, we’ll keep our fingers crossed that they’ll announce the new “Serendipity” cast in the very near future.
The aforementioned “Verity” heads to theaters on October 2 from Amazon MGM Studios, so the established relationship with the studio likely played a role in his hiring for the rom-com remake.
