Whoopi Goldberg & Giancarlo Esposito join ensemble-led comedy Shriver

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

Word has reached the JoBlo news floor that Content Media has acquired the sales rights to an ensemble comedy project called SHRIVER. 

Starring Whoopi Goldberg (GHOST, THE COLOR PURPLE), Giancarlo Espositio (OKJA, BREAKING BAD), Toni Collette (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE), and Thomas Haden Church (SIDEWAYS, DIVORCE), SHRIVER tells the story of a loner mistaken for a renowned but reclusive author.  He suddenly finds himself the center of attention at a writer’s conference celebrating the 20th anniversary of the book written by the real author.  Shriver takes on the mistaken identity while sparking a romance with the English professor who runs the conference. He is about to pull it all off when the real Shriver appears leading to fantastic comedic crescendo.

Michael Maren (A SHORT HISTORY OF DECAY, HAPPILY EVER AFTER: FAIRY TALES FOR EVERY CHILD) is directing the project via a screenplay he wrote himself which is based on the novel by the same name written by Chris Belden.

While speaking about the upcoming project, Jamie Carmichael, Content’s President of Film said, “From the very beginning we just loved the clever premise and I’m already imagining the laugh out loud moments that this superlative cast will deliver!  We’re really excited to be working with Michael, Josh and Alfred on this wonderful comedy.”

Additionally, producers Alfred Sapse and Josh Kesselman said: “It is great to be collaborating with Content on Shriver. We feel we have found the perfect home for the film.”

While I'm not entirely sure that the specifics of the plot for this project have caught my interest, I do enjoy a good "mistaken identity" scenario from time to time. I suppose that, for me personally, the jury will remain out on this one until we get an official trailer. For the moment, no production or shooting details have been announced. 

Be sure to catch Whoopi Goldberg when she lends her voice to the character Yari in Sam Koji Hale's animated adventure YAMASONG: MARCH OF THE HOLLOWS, which is expected for a late 2017 release.