Few directors are as hot and in-demand right now as Will Gluck. He directed one of 2010’s most universally loved movies, “Easy A,” and launched the career of star Emma Stone into the mainstream spotlight.
Taking advantage of his myriad options at present, Gluck has signed a two-year development and production deal with Sony Pictures which will include film and television projects. “Easy A” grossed $75 million dollars worldwide (on a tiny budget of $8 million) and proved that young female actresses can make both men and women laugh, the lightning in the proverbial bottle that studios are constantly trying to capture. His next film, “Friends With Benefits” (out July 22), stars Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis and, if the trailer is any indication, will have humor that will again appeal to both sexes.
The promise of television developments is interesting. Gluck began his career writing for several failed shows and was the creator of the short-lived but uniquely hilarious Fox comedy “The Loop.” The show’s lesser-known cast and quirky style (think “Arrested Development” crossed with “30 Rock”) failed to connect with a significant enough number of viewers.
So, what’s on the horizon? Gluck is currently developing an adaptation of “Sex on the Moon” based on the non-fiction book by Ben Mezrich, the author of “The Accidental Billionaires” on which Aaron Sorkin’s “The Social Network” screenplay was based. And last year it was announced he would be reteaming with Emma Stone for a comedy that would shoot this summer, though word on that project seems to have quieted. Either way, Gluck is definitely going to be busy, luckily for all of us. —Matthew Newlin [Deadline]