Tina Fey has certainly been keeping herself busy now that “30 Rock” is officially over. She stars in the upcoming rom-com “Admission” with Paul Rudd, her first starring role since 2010’s “Date Night,” and she’s currently filming “Muppets…Again!” sequel alongside Ricky Gervais. And now, she’s entering negotiations to join Jason Bateman in the comedy/drama “This Is Where I Leave You,” an adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Johnathan Tropper, who wrote the script himself.
The film follows a man, played by Jason Bateman, “whose father dies and tasks his dysfunctional family comprised of four grown siblings with one last request: to spend seven days following the funeral together under the same roof for the first time in a decade.”
“This Is Where I Leave You” has been in the works for quite some time, with names such as David Yates and Adam Shankman previously attached to direct. Ultimately, Shawn Levy (“Real Steel”, “Date Night”) wound up in the director’s chair and Jason Bateman, originally on board when Shankman was attached, will remain as the star of the film. A number of actresses will be testing for roles in the film, including Ari Graynor, Isla Fisher, Zoe Saldana, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Kathryn Hahn. Tina Fey would be playing Bateman’s older sister.
Shawn Levy does not have the best track record, but with a promising cast beginning to take shape, hopefully he’ll be able to do the book justice. Production is expected to start in June, with filming to take place in New York. Levy’s next film “The Internship,” starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, comes out June 7th.