We’ve seen Jessica Chastain pretty much do it all from indie dramas, to Oscar contending performances, to blockbusters, to genre flicks. However, the actress has yet to lead a big, studio comedy but it’s not for lack of trying. In 2016 she signed up for “Plus One,” where she would’ve played a single woman who realizes her girlfriends are limited as all her single friends are married or soon-to-be, but she soon finds an unexpected bond with a fearless, sexually uninhibited woman (Cecily Strong) who quickly becomes her wingwoman in the dating world. Cool concept, but the project seems to have idled. But now, Chastain has another potential laffer in the works.
The actress will reteam with her “The Help” co-star Octavia Spencer for an untitled comedy at Universal. Chastain herself teamed with Kelly Carmichael (producer of “The Nanny Diaries,” “Nine,” and “My Week With Marilyn“) to write the treatment which will be turned into a script by Peter Chiarelli (“The Proposal,” “Now You See Me 2,” the upcoming “Crazy Rich Asians“). The story is said to be in the vein of the great “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” and will follow two women trying to make it home for Christmas. Future holiday classic? Guess we’ll find out soon enough.
No word yet on a director or even when production might begin, but let’s hope this doesn’t fall by the wayside like “Plus One.” [THR]
