Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening have signed on to star in Jerry And Marge Go Large, a true story comedy film that’s being developed for Paramount+. The film will tell the remarkable true story of how retiree Jerry Selbee discovered a mathematical loophole in the Massachusetts lottery.
With the help of his wife Marge, Jerry won $27 million dollars, and the Selbees used the money to revive their small Michigan town. David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada) will direct from a script written by Brad Copeland (Arrested Development), based on a Huffington Post article by Jason Fagone.
This is the latest unusual true story being turned into a film. It was recently announced that Anna Kendrick would play the woman who chose an at-large serial killer on The Dating Game, while Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are working on a film based on the McDonald’s Monopoly scam. And Zola, a film based on an infamous 148-tweet thread about a woman roadtripping with a sex worker, arrives later this month.
There’s obviously an appetite for these quirky true crime tales, but Landline Pictures, who are developing the film, are also specifically focused on making star-driven movies for the 50+ audience with crossover appeal.
Their slate also includes the Renee Zellweger golf comedy The Back Nine, Scenic Route from Book Club director Bill Holderman, and comedy-drama The Best Is Yet To Come.
Cranston was recently seen starring in Showtime drama series Your Honor, while Bening can be seen in new crime drama, Georgetown (although the film was actually shot way back in 2017).
She’ll next be seen alongside Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer and Kenneth Branagh in Death On The Nile, and she’s also attached to play 64-year-old marathon swimmer Diana Nyad in an film from the Free Solo filmmakers.
Jerry And Marge Go Large sounds like it should offer plenty of quirky fun, especially with the added intrigue of being based on a true story. Cranston and Bening are the kinds of actors who never give bad performances, so there’s a solid chance this turns out well. Filming is expected to commence next month in Georgia.
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