For the most part, Adam Shankman has been known for big screen spectacle, bringing to multiplexes the likes of "Bedtime Stories," "Hairspray" and this summer’s ’80s musical "Rock Of Ages." But the helmer is looking to shift gears a bit as earlier this year he signed on to direct an adaptation of Jonathan Tropper‘s best selling novel "This Is Where I Leave You." Never one lacking for an all star cast, Shankman has gathered up yet another strong group of talent to help him tell the tale.
Deadline reports that Jason "Arrested Development Is Happening For Real" Bateman, Zac "Nicole Kidman Peed On Me" Efron, Goldie "Where Ya Been?" Hawn and Leslie "No Funny Comment, You Rule" Mann are all aboard the pic. The story — adapted for the screen by Tropper himself (he notably penned the "Harvey" remake that Steven Spielberg nearly directed) — centers on a patriarch who dies, having requested that his non-reglious, dysfunctional family sit Shivah for seven days. Hawn will play the mother of the family, with Bateman, Efron and Mann all as siblings. Apparently the script is a hot one with more names expected to join, and given the talent already on board, it should be a pretty interesting ensemble. Update: THR adds that Malin Akerman and Jason Sudeikis have also joined the cast. Akerman will be playing Bateman’s wife who is having an affair with his boss played by Sudeikis.
Should it all come togehter as planned, filming will kick off in September.
