Garry Marshall Lines Up ‘Mother’s Day’ With Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston And More
After a few years' hiatus,Valentine’s DayandNew Year’s EvedirectorGarry Marshallis resuming his quest to turn every holiday on the calendar into a middling ensemble comedy. The next one on his list isMother’s Day, and he’s already attracted quite the high-profile cast includingJulia Roberts,Jennifer Aniston,Kate Hudson, andJason Sudeikis.
More details on theMothers DayGarry Marshall deal after the jump.
Deadlinereports Roberts is already confirmed forMother’s Day, while Aniston, Hudson, and Sudeikis are still in talks.Anya Kochoff-Romano(Monster-in-Law) andLily Hollanderwrote the script. LikeNew Year’s DayandValentine’s Daybefore it,Mother’s Daywill feature several intertwining storylines centered around the titular holiday.
Roberts previously appeared inValentine’s Day. Her relationship with Marshall stretches back to 1990’sPretty Woman, which turned her into an internationally beloved superstar. They reunited in 1999 (along withPretty Woman’s Richard Gere) forRunaway Bride.
Hudson wasn’t involved with either of theDayfilms, but did star in Marshall’sRaising Helen. Neither Aniston nor Sudekis have worked with Marshall before. But they have worked with each other several times before onWe’re the Millersand bothHorrible Bossesmovies.
2010’sValentine’s Daywas panned by critics, and 2011’sNew Year’s Evewas even more widely reviled. (The latter has a single-digit score on Rotten Tomatoes.) Nevertheless, both films made boatloads of money – $216 million forValentine’s Day, and $142 million forNew Year’s Eve. Both cost around $50-60 million to make.
The appeal for everyone involved is obvious. The big-name actors get to collect a paycheck for not much work, and their combined star power helps sell the film to audiences. Non-Marshall films have taken similar approaches includeHe’s Just Not That Into You,Think Like a Man, andWhat to Expect When You’re Expecting. 2003’sLove Actuallyremains the gold standard for this particular romcom format, IMO.
Both of Marshall’s previous holiday-themed films were released by New Line, butMother’s Dayis still looking for a studio home. Production is slated to begin in August.
