Described as a mix between The Hangover and the aforementioned 1989 dead-body comedy Weekend at Bernie’s, Move That Body was one of the scripts featured on this year’s edition of “The Black List” — the annual list of the best new screenplays that have yet to be made into a movie.
According to The Wrap, Sony Pictures picked up the script, penned by Broad City writers Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs, and Aniello is expected to direct the film. The script’s official synopsis summarizes the story as follows: “Five friends rent a beach house in Miami for a bachelorette weekend and accidentally kill a male stripper.”
While Aniello will reportedly shepherd the project’s development behind the camera, Downs is expected to co-star with Johansson in the film. Aniello and Downs will also co-produce the movie with The Amazing Spider-Man producer Matt Tolmach and Louie producer Dave Becky.
If the report proves true, the project will join a long list of high-profile films featuring Johansson that will arrive in theaters over the next few years. Along with the upcoming Coen Brothers comedy Hail Caesar! next year, Johansson will also appear in Captain America: Civil War, as well as provide the voices of two animated characters in features premiering in 2016, the live-action/animation hybrid The Jungle Book and the fully animated musical comedy Sing. Johansson is also attached to star in a live-action movie based on the popular Ghost in the Shell anime/manga project.
Sony’s collaboration with Aniello and Downs is also the continuation of an already established relationship with the filmmaking duo, who are currently working on the script for a female-led spinoff of the 21 Jump Street franchise.
