Issa Rae (Photo by Jeffrey Maye – Image courtesy gettyimages.com)
In what will mark her first post-“Insecure” role, and her first big screen feature film release, Issa Rae has booked a co-starring role opposite Bill Hader (“Trainwreck”) in the feature comedy “Empress of Serenity.”
Jesse Andrews, author of “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” is making his directing debut on “Empress Of Serenity,” which is set up at independent film production company Good Universe.
Andrews wrote the script which is loosely inspired by a David Foster Wallace novel, described as an edgy comedy about an animal rights lawyer who is shocked by the news of his mother’s death, and finds unexpected friendship after he’s coerced by his estranged father to go on a 45-day cruise. Issa Rae has signed up to play Michelle, who is described as a reclusive kindred spirit in the cabin next door who becomes both the aid and the obstacle in Hader’s character’s elaborate plan to win back his ex-wife.
Production is scheduled to begin in August with Stephen Chbosky and Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon producing the film, along with Russell Smith. Nathan Kahane and Joe Drake of Good Universe will executive produce alongside Mr. Mudd’s John Malkovich.
Erin Westerman is overseeing for Good Universe.
Ms. Rae is represented by UTA, 3Arts Entertainment, and Hansen, Jacobson.
Source: Shadow & Act
