Kidman
Lopez
Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Lopez are tuning up to star in "American Darlings," a period drama that was bought preemptively by New Regency from a four-page pitch.
Pic will be produced by Storyline Entertainment partners Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, and Carl Rumbagh and Susan Baton. Kidman will be exec producer.
Kidman has been the driving force behind the construct of the film, a drama about a white female swing band that joins forces with a group of black and Hispanic musicians at a time when women were ostracized from playing male-dominated clubs. Those sex barriers shattered soon after President Roosevelt declared war on Japan and the women suddenly played the hottest clubs and even squared off against the Count Basie orchestra at the Apollo Theater.
The idea was hatched by Batson, an acting coach whose clients include Kidman, and Rumbaugh, a former manager at Industry Entertainment. The duo also hatched "The Rivals," a drama about catfighting 19th-century stage divas Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonara Duse.
Kidman brought in Zadan and Meron because she was a fan of "Chicago," which they exec produced. The duo are prepping feature remakes of "Guys and Dolls" and "Damn Yankees."
Kidman also gave first crack at the material to New Regency's Sanford Panitch.
Rumbaugh said they will move quickly to secure a scribe, and he expects the film to showcase the singing voices of Lopez and Kidman.
Regency adds "American Darlings" to a busy slate including "The Girl Next Door," "Man on Fire," "First Daughter" and the thriller "Stay."
Regency is in production on "The Bee Season" and is prepping "Daredevil" spinoff "Elektra," with Jennifer Garner and director Rob Bowman.
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