‘The Big Sick’ Director Michael Showalter Plans Christmas Comedy With Jessica Chastain & Octavia Spencer
By Ethan Anderton/March 23, 2018 2:30 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Universal has set Michael Showalter to be at the helm of an untitled Christmas comedy starring Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain (Molly’s Game) and Oscar winner Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures). So what will the movie be about?
The Christmas comedy has a pretty familiar premise as it follows Chastain and Spencer as two women fighting the elements to make it home for Christmas. Could we be looking at a female Planes, Trains and Automobiles? If that’s the case, this sounds like it could be pretty damn fun for me, even if Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer aren’t exactly who comes to mind when I think of hilarious actresses leading a holiday comedy.
Spencer has more comedic experience thanks to her turn taking bit parts in various films over the years, but Chastain isn’t really known for her comedic exploits. However, the two did make quite a delightful pair in the adaptation of The Help back in 2011, which served as a career-elevating project for both of them in different ways. Maybe this will expand the scope of their careers even more.
Chastain will also be producing the film through her Freckle Films production banner, and treatment writer Carmichael will also produce with Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler, as well as Maven Pictures.
Under normal circumstances, this would sound like a typical Christmas comedy that doesn’t spark much interest. But having a director like Michael Showalter on board with two Oscar nominated actresses in the lead and a script that started a bidding war is enough to have me curious to see how it turns out.
