Toni Collette will play the lead in Mafia Mamma, an action comedy about a suburban mom who unexpectedly inherits her grandfather’s Mafia empire.
The film will reunite Collette with director Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Thirteen), who she previously worked with on Miss You Already. Debbie Jhoon and J. Michael Feldman have written the screenplay.
Kristin’s troubled life is upended when she receives a life changing phone call from her estranged grandfather’s trusted consigliere, telling her that he is dead and she must attend the funeral in Italy.
Egged on by her best friend and lawyer Jenny, Kristin reluctantly decides to go, but when the funeral explodes into a bloody gunfight, she finally learns the truth; Kristin isn’t just there to meet the family, she is there to be the new boss of the fiercest Mafia family in Calabria.
“I couldn’t be more excited to make this film with Catherine and the team,” Collette said in a statement. “It is pure, fish out of water fun with a firm feminist backbone. I think we could all handle an uplifting, laugh out loud story like this right about now. Bring it on Italy!”
Hardwicke added: “I personally relate to this woman who has to tap into her inner warrior and earn the respect of a bunch of men — especially after working in the film business. This story is empowering in the most fun way!”
Monica Bellucci and Rob Huebel have also been cast in supporting roles.
Cornerstone will handle international sales and distribution, while CAA Media Finance is overseeing the U.S. sale. Collette is also producing under her Vocab Films banner.
Collette earlier this year starred in Netflix sci-fi drama Stowaway, and she’ll next be seen in Guillermo Del Toro‘s star-studded Nightmare Alley remake, which also stars Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, and Rooney Mara.
She will also be starring in Netflix thriller series Pieces Of Her, based on Karin Slaughter‘s novel, which will likely premiere before the end of 2021.
#Peace.Love.MafiaMamma
