Meg Ryan to direct and star alongside David Duchovny in romantic comedy “WHAT HAPPENS LATER”.
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Meg Ryan (Ithaca, When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle) will direct and star alongside David Duchovny (The Bubble, The X Files, Californication) in What Happens Later, an evolved and nostalgic take on the romantic comedy. The film is based on the play ‘Shooting Star’ by Steven Dietz, who is one of America’s most prolific and widely produced playwrights. Dietz also co-wrote the screenplay together with playwright and novelist Kirk Lynn, and Ryan. Bleecker Street has acquired the U.S. rights and is planning a 2023 theatrical release. HanWay Films has come on board to handle international sales and distribution and will commence sales at Cannes.
What Happens Later is produced by Independent Spirit Award winners Jonathan Duffy and Kelly Williams (Sorry to Bother You, I Used to Go Here) through their Ten Acre Films, Independent Spirit Award nominee Laura D. Smith (I’ll See You In My Dreams, It Follows), and Kristin Mann (The Quarry, To The Stars). Kerri Elder and Blake Elder of Rockhill Studios are executive producers together with Bleecker Street’s Andrew Karpen and Kent Sanderson.
What if late one snowy night you came face to face with someone from your long ago? Someone who once held your secrets, because once, long ago, that person held your heart.
Ex-lovers Willa (Ryan) and Bill (Duchovny) are reunited for the first time since their split decades prior when they both find themselves snowed in, in-transit, at an airport overnight. Willa is still the wilful, independent spirit she once was, free of any ties. Bill, recently separated, is reassessing his life and his relationships with his estranged wife and daughter. All each wants is to get home, but over the course of the night they find themselves at first reluctantly drawn together yet compelled to revisit their past, along with what could have been and what might well be again. But when the versions of their shared history don’t quite add up, where do they go from there?
The producers said; “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have the incredible teams at Bleecker Street and HanWay alongside us as we bring this special story to the screen. We believe it’s a look at life and love that audiences the world over will relate to and hunger for in these uncertain times when connection and reconciliation feel more important than ever.”
Bleecker Street CEO Andrew Karpen said: “To be part of this team, bringing such a popular play to the big screen is a genuine privilege. We are beyond fortunate that the project is in the hands of one of the most gifted romantic comedy actors of her generation. Combined with the talent of her co-stars and producers, we are honored to be on this journey and look forward to sharing the experience with audiences next year.”
