It's possible that it's escaped your notice (if you've been, you know, in a coma or a cave or something), but Zooey Deschanel became something of a megastar in the last twelve months. The indie hearthrob had already been on her way, after rom-com "(500) Days Of Summer," but took a risk in moving to the TV world by headlining Fox's "New Girl." It's a risk that's paid off in spades — the show's been one of the biggest hits of the past season (and quietly, after a dreadful, 'adorkable' start, become a pretty decent little comedy), and has made the actress a household name.
But it's always tricky to know how TV stardom will translate into the movies, even for an actress like Deschanel, who has a decade-worth of cinematic appearances behind her. But it looks like she's jumping straight back into big-screen waters, as Variety reports that the actress is eyeing up the latest project from the reigning king of the romantic comedy, Richard Curtis.
According to the trade, Deschanel is in talks to co-star in "About Time," the latest comedy from the writer of "Four Weddings And A Funeral" and "Notting Hill," who went on to helm "Love Actually" and "Pirate Radio." And she's not alone, as fast-rising actor Domhnall Gleeson, who's not just the son of Brendan Gleeson, but has appeared in films as diverse as "Never Let Me Go," "True Grit," "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows" and the upcoming "Anna Karenina," is also negotiating to star in the project.
Should the deal close, Gleeson would play Tim, the latest in a long line of time travelers, who attempts to use his abilities to change the world. Deschanel, meanwhile, is also being courted for the high-profile spec sale "He's Fucking Perfect" by Fox, but is said to favor the Curtis project to fill her time during her hiatus, although there's as yet no word as to what her role might be.
It's all an intriguing prospect, particularly given that Curtis' best work of late was his episode of "Doctor Who," another time travel-themed entertainment, and the pairing of Gleeson and Deschanel could be very interesting. The project's set up at Curtis' usual home of Working Title Films, and shooting should get underway in the summer for a 2013 release.