As much as I was disappointed by James L. Brooks’ last film, it’s very hard not to get excited about this latest project, set to be his first film in over 15 years.
Brooks’ “Ella McCay,” which wrapped production in May 2024, has a cast that includes Emma Mackey, Rebecca Hall, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edibiri, Albert Brooks, Kumail Nanjiani, Jack Lowden, and Spike Fearn.
Curiously, it looks like reshoots have been called on the film for this coming March. The cast and crew will be returning to Providence for additional photography. No mention whether the entire cast is going back, or just a select few players, but they have reserved multiple locations for production.
“Ella McCay” is said to follow an idealistic young politician who juggles familial issues and a challenging work life while preparing to take over the job of her mentor, the state’s longtime incumbent governor.
Brooks, 83, has only directed six films in his four-decade filmmaking career, but three of them are classics (“Terms of Endearment,” “Broadcast News” and “As Good As It Gets”). His last film was 2010’s “How Do You Know,” which also happens to be the last time Jack Nicholson appeared in a movie.
Last year, 20th Century Studios announced at CinemaCon that “Ella McCay” would be released sometime in 2025. Here’s hoping they stick with that plan.