LaBute Signs Deal with Screen Gems, 'DEATH AT A FUNERAL' Remake First Project

Variety is reporting that Neil LaBute has signed a two-picture deal with Screen Gems.

The first project will be to reunite with his "Nurse Betty" star Chris Rock for a remake of the 2007 British comedy "Death at a Funeral." LaBute, who most recently directed the Samuel L. Jackson film "Lakeview Terrace" will also head up the romantic comedy "Here Comes the Sun" for Screen Gems.

Sidney Kimmel is producing the film alongside former Sidney Kimmel Entertainment production topper William Horberg. Rock, Share Stallings and Laurence Malkin will also serve as producers. Jim Tauber is executive producer reports Variety.

Nina Coleman wrote "Here Comes the Sun," whose plot details are being kept under wraps. Brad Epstein ("Dan in Real Life") is producing via his Panther Films production company.

LaBute's film directorial credits include "In the Company of Men." His "reasons to be pretty" will premiere on Broadway in March, his Broadway play debut. Preview performances begin Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) with an official opening night scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2009. Tickets are on sale now through www.telecharge.com.

reasons to be pretty confronts America's obsession with physical beauty headlong. In Neil LaBute's new play, Greg's (Sadoski) tight-knit social circle is thrown into turmoil when his off-handed remarks about a female co-worker's pretty face (and his girlfriend's lack thereof) get back to said girlfriend (Ireland). But that's just the beginning.

This play marks the sixth collaboration between MCC Theater and LaBute, who is MCC's Resident Playwright. reasons to be pretty puts a final, ferocious cap on a trilogy of plays that began with The Shape of Things and Fat Pig. Performances of the four-character play began Off Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre on May 14, 2008 and the critically acclaimed production continued through July 5, 2008.