'Romans' set to invade Philadelphia

Production begins on romantic comedy

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Production begins today in Philadelphiaon "The Dream of the Romans," an ensemble romantic comedy that stars Jeff Daniels, Lauren Graham, Lou Taylor Pucci, Olivia Thirlby and Kat Dennings. Pic marks the feature debut of writer-director John Hindman.

Movie is financed by iDeal Partners Film Fund. Kevin Messic is producing with iDeal's Jana Edelbaum, with Rachel Cohen as exec producer. Formed in 2006, iDeal is teamed with GreeneStreet Films to produce the John Polson-directed "Tenderness," which Russell Crowe toplines for Lionsgate.

In "The Dream of the Romans," Daniels plays a reclusive author of a landmark book that redefined spirituality for a generation. Graham is a struggling single mom and Pucci a young man fresh out of rehab. Like many others, they seek out the author because they're convinced he has all the answers -- but he just wants to be left alone.

"This is a sparkling piece of writing with vivid, wonderful characters," said iDeal's Edelbaum.

Daniels will next be seen in Universal's "State of Play," Graham just wrapped "Flash of Genius" for U, and Pucci will next be seen in "The Horseman" and "Carriers." Thirlby is coming off "Juno" and stars in "Snow Angels" and "The Wackness." Dennings is coming off "Charlie Bartlett" and just wrapped "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist."

Messick just wrapped the Paramount Vantage comedy "The Goods," which he produced with Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's Gary Sanchez Prods. He's also producing "Black Hole" with Plan B for Paramount and MTV Films, with David Fincher attached to direct.