Yahoo Finance Shailene Woodley Starring in ‘Robots,’ New Comedy From ‘Borat’ Writer
Shailene Woodley will star in “Robots,” which is being described as a “fast-paced comedy” from Anthony Hines, one of the writers of “Borat” and “Bruno.” It marks a change of pace for Woodley, best known for the dystopian “Divergent” films and the dare-you-not-to-devolve-into-a-puddle-of-tears romance “The Fault in Our Stars.”
“Robots” is based on a short story by science fiction writer Robert Sheckley. It focuses on a womanizer and a gold digger who are forced to team up and pursue robot doubles of themselves, who have, in turn, fallen in love and absconded together. Hamel developed the project under his Company Films banner.
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Hines will co-direct the film with Casper Christensen (“Klown”). Woodley will star alongside Jack Whitehall, who appears in the upcoming Disney film “Jungle Cruise” and previously starred in the series “Bad Education.”
Rocket Science is handling international sales on the film in the Virtual Cannes Market. CAA Media Finance, which arranged financing, is co-representing the film’s domestic distribution rights with Cassian Elwes’ Elevated, which is producing with Stephen Hamel at Company Films. Thorsten Schumacher and Jere Hausfater will serve as Executive Producers.
“At a time when comedies are needed more than ever, I couldn’t be more delighted than to have Shailene and Jack team up to play the leads in this movie,” Hines said.
Woodley’s credits also include “The Descendants” and HBO’s buzzy drama “Big Little Lies.” She recently wrapped the lead role and served as a producer on the indie film “Misanthrope” and stars in the upcoming Netflix and Studio Canal feature film “The Last Letter from Your Lover,” which she also produced.
Production on “Robots” will commence this August in New Mexico.
Woodley is repped by Hyperion and attorney Felker, Toczek, Suddelston Abramson.
Rocket Science’s Cannes slate includes Sean Penn’s “Flag Day,” which screens in Official Competition, and Eva Husson’s “Mothering Sunday,” which screens in the Premiere Section. Its upcoming projects include Todd Haynes’ “May December” starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore; Zach Braff’s “A Good Person” starring Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman; and the Robbie Williams biopic “Better Man” from director Michael Gracey.
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