Stephen Amell Susan Sarandon Split - H 2014
AP Images/InvisionSusan Sarandon, Stephen Amell and Allison Janney are in talks to star in comedy Whatever Makes You Happy, based on the popular novel by William Sutcliffe about three longtime friends who visit their absent sons in New York City.
Mandalay Pictures developed the comedy, which marks the feature directorial debut of TV writer/producer Cindy Chupack (Modern Family, Sex and the City). Cathy Schulman is producing, with Prescience Film Finance (The King’s Speech, Chef) coming aboard to co-finance.
Radiant Film International is introducing the project to foreign buyers at the American Film Market.
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Sutcliffe’s novel tells the story of suburban mothers Helen, Carol and Gillian, who have been friends since their 28-year-old-sons were in grade school. Now, the boys all live in New York City, never call their mothers and seem to have no sense of direction or responsibility. Feeling marginalized and forgotten, the women impulsively decide to pay their children an unannounced visit in the city, only to discover that their sons’ lives may not be the only ones that need fixing.
Chupack is scheduled to begin shooting in June 2015.
“Cindy is well established around the globe as a trusted voice in the business of modern relationships, and she has surrounded herself with a world class cast and crew to make a top of the market character comedy that should become an instant classic,” said Schulman.
David Frankel is executive producing alongside Matt Rhodes and Jason Michael Berman, with Elijah Kelley also in talks to join the cast.
Nov. 6, 8:45 a.m. A previous version of this story incorrectly attributed Schulman’s quote. THR regrets the error.
