Scarlett Johansson is building a reputation for her ability to kick butt on screen. Her next project, however, may up the ante and have her kill somebody. And it’s a comedy. Johansson is reportedly in talks to star in the film, Move that Body in which five friends accidently kill a male stripper during a bachelorette party weekend. From the title, we assume they attempt to cover it up.
The script comes from Broad City writers Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs. Aniello is also planning to direct while Downs will co-star in the film. There’s no word who is being looked at to play any of the other women from the bachelorette party. The timing of the report, from The Hollywood Reporter, is interesting considering Move that Body was on the 2015 Black List, a list of the best unproduced screenplays in Hollywood, that was only announced yesterday. Now it looks as though the film may not remain unproduced for very much longer. If Johansson jumps on board, her star power will likely help boost the film into production.
If the idea sounds slightly familiar, that’s because it is. In 1998, Christian Slater and Jon Favreau starred in the black comedy Very Bad Things which had essentially the same premise, but with genders switched around. That film was not particularly well received. The fact that this script made the Black List gives it some credence that it’s a solid idea.
The R-rated comedy appears to be going through something of a resurgence over the last couple of years. Both 2014’s Seth Rogen movie Neighbors and this past summer’s Trainwreck from Amy Schumer both broke the $100 million mark at the US box office. It’s something of a gamble, as the R rating shrinks the potential audience significantly. However, when successful, the movie can bring in a critical mass of moviegoers and put up incredibly high numbers. Move That Body has a pretty solid pedigree behind it, as it’s being co-produced by Matt Tolmach, who was behind other hits like Zombieland and Superbad.
Comedy is one area where Scarlett Johansson has not delved too deeply in the past. The majority of her films have fallen solidly into the action or drama categories. Having said that, she has a few comedy credits including The Nanny Diaries, Don Jon and next year Coen Brother’s film, Hail, Caesar!.
If Move That Body does land Johansson and then follows it up with a solid ensemble cast of funny ladies, this could be a great movie. What do you think of seeing ScarJo in a very grown up comedy?
