Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton Join Olivia Wilde’s Date Night Comedy The Invite

Olivia Wilde is set to direct The Invite, a bold new date night comedy inspired by the Spanish film Sentimental, and she’s assembled a star-studded ensemble for the project. Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton will lead the cast, with Wilde also taking on a role in the film.

The original Sentimental was helmed by Cesc Gay and has been adapted for English-speaking audiences by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. According to the official synopsis, “The Invite” is about “a couple [who] invites the neighbors over, igniting an evening full of unexpected twists and turns, revealing deeply repressed emotions and unexplored sexuality.” Filming is currently underway in Los Angeles.

The production is backed by FilmNation Entertainment’s Ben Browning, Annapurna Pictures’ Megan Ellison, and David Permut. Patrick Chu, Annapurna’s Head of Film and Television, is executive producing. FilmNation and Annapurna are co-financing the project.

Wilde, who last directed the 2022 box office hit Don’t Worry Darling, made her filmmaking debut with the critically acclaimed comedy Booksmart. As an actor, she’s known for roles in Her, Rush, and Cowboys & Aliens. Up next, Wilde stars in Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex, alongside Cooper Hoffman and Charli XCX. She’s also attached to direct two other projects: the holiday comedy Naughty for Universal Pictures and Avengelyne, based on the ’90s comic book character, for Warner Bros.—both produced by Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap.

Rogen recently premiered The Studio, a satire about Hollywood that he created and stars in for Apple TV+. His past credits include Knocked Up, Superbad, Pineapple Express, and The Fabelmans. Wilde recently made a guest appearance in The Studio, playing a heightened version of herself opposite Rogen.

Cruz, an Academy Award winner, is known for roles in Nine, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and Parallel Mothers. She recently appeared in Michael Mann’s Ferrari and will next star in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride!

Norton follows his Oscar-nominated performance in A Complete Unknown. His acclaimed career includes roles in Birdman, Primal Fear, and American History X, each of which earned him Academy Award nominations.

FilmNation Entertainment is co-representing domestic rights alongside UTA Independent Film Group and handling international sales.

Read the whole article on Variety.