Cannes: Whoopi Goldberg Joins Comedy ‘Shriver’

Whoopi Goldberg has signed on to star in Shriver, joining Toni Collette and Thomas Haden Church in the comedy about mistaken identity. Giancarlo Esposito (Okja, Breaking Bad, Maze Runner: The Death Cure) has also been added to the cast. 

Content Media has acquired sales rights to the ensemble comedy and will be introducing the project to buyers for the first time in Cannes. Additional castmembers are expected to join the film in the coming weeks.

Shriver tells the story of a loner (Church) mistaken for a renowned but reclusive novelist who suddenly finds himself the center of attention at a writers conference celebrating the 20th anniversary of the book written by the real author. Shriver takes on the mistaken identity while sparking a romance with the English professor (Collette) who runs the conference. He is about to pull it all off when the real Shriver appears, leading to a fantastic comedic crescendo.

Michael Maren (A Short History of Decay) will direct from his own screenplay, based on the novel by the same name written by Chris Belden.

Producing the film are Thruline’s Josh Kesselman (Death at a Funeral, Ashby, A Few Best Men) and Alfred Sapse (A Short History of Decay).

Shriver is currently in preproduction and is scheduled to begin shooting later this year.