
Jason Bateman Headshot - P 2011
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This Is Where I Leave You, Warner Bros.’ adaptation of the book by Jonathan Tropper, is coming back to life again as a new cast appears to be materializing.
Last May, the project had reached the casting stage with Adam Shankman (Rock of Ages) directing and actors Jason Bateman, Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Goldie Hawn, Malin Akerman and Jason Sudeikis in various stages of talks.
Deals were never completed, as Shankman exited the project, putting it into the hamster-wheel until Shawn Levy came onboard as director in November. (Levy is also producing with Paula Weinstein.)
Now insiders say Leave You is again casting, and Bateman, who stars with Melissa McCarthy in this weekend’s Identity Thief, is back onboard.
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Not only that, but Bateman and Levy will be testing a new set of actresses on Monday. The list includes Ari Graynor, Isla Fisher, Zoe Saldana, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Kathryn Hahn.
Amy Adams is also in the mix, but sources say that she is not being asked to read for the part.
Tropper wrote the script, which centers on a man (Bateman) whose father dies and tasks his dysfunctional family with one last request: to spend seven days following the funeral together under the same roof.
Most of the actresses are reading for the part of Penny, the love that got away who works at her father’s company.
Hahn is reading for the part of Bateman’s wife, a woman who is having an affair with his boss.
Bateman is on a busy streak right now. Thursday he sold comedy pitch Game Night, which he will produce with his Aggregate Films partner Jim Garavente, and he just wrapped his directorial debut Bad Words.
Email: Borys.Kit@thr.com
Twitter: @Borys_Kit
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