Kwapis inks to wear 'Pants' for Warners
Ephron adapting Brashares novel
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Pic, adapted from the bestselling novel by Ann Brashares, is being produced for the studio by Debra Martin Chase and WB-based producer Denise Di Novi.
Coming-of-age story penned by Delia Ephron ("You've Got Mail") concerns four teen best friends who share a magical pair of jeans that unites them when for the first time they are forced to separate.
Pic, being overseen by Warner Bros. Pictures exec VP of production Kevin McCormick, is expected to start production early this summer, though cast and locations have not yet been chosen.
"What's wonderful about it is it's four separate coming-of-age stories interwoven and tied together by a pair of pants," Kwapis told Daily Variety. "It's a meaty script with four very emotional stories that manages to strike a wonderful balance between humor and drama."
Kwapis produced and directed the pilot and seven episodes of "The Bernie Mac Show," and he has been producing and directing "Malcolm in the Middle" since 1999.
A Kwapis directed episode of "The Bernie Mac Show" featuring Wesley Snipes will air Feb. 26 as part of sweeps.
His production company, In Cahoots, has an overall deal with Regency Television, where he is developing a CBS comedy with writer Boyd Hale. He has written and is set to direct "Sexual Life," a modern-day feature adaptation of Arthur Schnitzel's "La Ronda," for the new Showtime filmmaking entity 6 Figure Films. Carol Baum and Ken Aguado will produce.
Kwapis' other feature credits include "Dunston Checks In" and "Vibes."
For TV, he directed the pilot episodes for "The Larry Sanders Show" and NBC's "Watching Ellie," and he contributed to NBC's "Freaks and Geeks."
