Ryan Murphy Plans ‘One Hit Wonders’ With Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, Beyonce And Andy Samberg
UPDATE: Beyonce’s camp says that she isn’t attached to One Hit Wonders, so perhaps this was a bit of over-exuberance on the part of the filmmakers. Still a crazy good cast if you ask me.
EXCLUSIVE: In a seven-figure preemptive deal, Sony Pictures is collaborating with Ryan Murphy on One Hit Wonders, a musical comedy pitch that will be written as a star vehicle for Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, Beyonce and Andy Samberg.
Murphy is attached to direct, and he will write the script with his Glee cohorts Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan. Murphy will produce with Paltrow (who has practically become a Glee cast member) and the latter makes her debut as a producer on this film. Murphy hopes to direct it after he completes The Normal Heart.
Paltrow, Witherspoon and Diaz will play three singers who each scored a top hit song in the 1990s before watching their careers go down the drain. They decide to form a super group. Samberg and his Lonely Island cohorts will be involved in generating music for the film, I’m told. The project came out of a dinner Murphy had at the Soho House with Paltrow, Diaz and Witherspoon. They wanted to do something fun together and kicked around ideas until they settled on One Hit Wonders. Murphy, who made Eat Pray Love with Sony Pictures chief Amy Pascal, took the pitch to her. Pascal bought it 10 minutes in. They are working the deals right now. Murphy previously made a big deal with Sony for a follow-up picture he’ll direct with Julia Roberts starring. Sony’s Elizabeth Cantillon and Hannah Minghella will steer the project.
Well, let’s see . . .
Gwyneth “Paltry” Paltrow
Cameron Diaz
Ryan Murphy
Three strikes . . . you’re out!
I’m not usually a Ryan Murphy fan, but this sounds really fun.
The only way I can see this working is if they turn this into a super-campy, no-holds-barred bitchfest the likes of which have not been attempted since “Death Becomes Her.” Think about it: Bad Teacher, Tracy Flick and Goop with dialogue from the creator of Sue Sylvester. It will make “Valley of the Dolls” look like the The Waltons.
If they try and make the characters likable, I’ll pass.
Sounds interesting… I always thought, “That Thing You Do” should be remade with all girls and one guy. Looking forward to it.
And what exactly is Beyonce’s involvement?
Beyonce plays the “backup singer” who was really the lead singer on all 3 hits by these gals.
What, when she was 10?
I guess it’s only a matter of time before he makes a watchable movie, right?
This ain’t gonna be it.
You’d think she’d at least want to hear the end of the pitch before buying it. I mean, it’s not like he can take it to another buyer before the end of the pitch, can he?
LOL
She should have bought it after just one minute all she needs to know is who’s starring in it and what it’s about. Two minutes should be the maximum anyone needs to buy something like this.
Apparently Amy Pascal didn’t look closely at the losses on Country Strong not to mention Hot Rods or Duets and This Means War. Good luck, Sony!
Puke, more Witherspoon. I was hoping her latest flop had finished her off.
Paltrow is going to do everything to make herself a viable recording artist. I guess one rock star in the family is not enough.
It sounds like it could be a lot of fun – especially with samberg working on the music!