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Jennifer Lopez will star in and produce the romantic comedy SECOND ACT for STXfilms, the studio announced Thursday.
Peter Segal (50 First Dates) will direct from a script by Justin Zackham and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, who conceived the idea together and are also producing the film with Benny Medina and Lopez, who developed the film with STX.
Described as a romantic comedy in the vein of Working Girl and the 2002 Lopez vehicle Maid In Manhattan, Second Act will find J-Lo playing a big box store employee who reinvents her life and her lifestyle when she gets the chance to prove to Madison Avenue that street smarts are as valuable as a college degree.
“When Jennifer, Elaine and Justin came to us with this idea, we loved it right away,” said STXfilms chairman Adam Fogelson. “The premise of reinventing yourself and creating a career and life-defining second act is hugely relatable and aspirational. Jennifer’s talents as a film and television actress, producer and recording artist are legendary. She is a true global superstar and and we think she is perfect for this role. We are excited to add Second Act to an outstanding and growing portfolio of female-driven projects that we are building at STXfilms.”
“There are so many things I love about this project and script,” added Lopez. “People try to put women to sleep at a certain age. Second Act is a story that empowers the every woman to do more, to be more, and not limit their dreams. I am thrilled to partner with STX as they continue to create and empower the female audience.”
The project marks another significant female-driven title for STXfilms. The company’s next five releases — Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, Molly’s Game, Gringo, A Bad Moms Christmas and The Happytime Murders — feature women in leading roles, and STXfilms recently announced a number of projects produced by and starring Anne Hathaway, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer and Michelle Williams.
Lopez is a Golden Globe-nominated actress who currently stars NBC’s Shades of Blue. She’s represented by CAA.
Jeff Sneider | Editor in Chief
