Deadline broke the news that Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively are in talks to star in Paul Feig’s new thriller A Simple Favor, an adaptation of Darcey Bell’s novel that’s been described as “in the vein of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.”Â
If they are cast, they will likely play lifelong best friends Emily and Stephanie, two mothers whose five-year-old sons get along equally well. Stephanie is a “widow and stay-at-home mommy blogger living in woodsy suburban Connecticut” and Emily is “a sophisticated PR executive whose job in Manhattan demands so much of her time.” However, after Stephanie helps Emily pick up her son one day, she doesn’t return.
The book synopsis reads:
“Stephanie knows something is terribly wrong—Emily would never leave Nicky, no matter what the police say. Terrified, she reaches out to her blog readers for help. She also reaches out to Emily’s husband, the handsome, reticent Sean, offering emotional support. It’s the least she can do for her best friend. Then, she and Sean receive shocking news. Emily is dead. The nightmare of her disappearance is over.
Or is it? Because soon, Stephanie will begin to see that nothing—not friendship, love, or even an ordinary favor—is as simple as it seems.”
Feig will be writing and directing the film, which is somewhat of a departure from the female-led comedies we’ve come to associate him with, along with other notable works like Freaks and Geeks. Scanning his filmography, it looks like the most notable non-comedic film he directed was the 2003 film I am David. Quite a bit of time has passed since then, so I’m excited to see his approach to the story.
The film is expected to start shooting this August in Toronto. What do you think about this possible casting?
(via Women and Hollywood, Image: Lionsgate and screencap)
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