Universal Pictures has picked up the comedy pitch Business Trip from writer Stacey Harman. Benderspink, behind the Warner Bros. hit “The Hangover,” will produce the laffer about a group of women who go on a corporate trip but wind up doing anything but business while on company time. (Variety)
Reaper co-star Missy Peregrym landed the lead role on the Canadian cop drama Copper, which will air on ABC. Billed as “Grey’s Anatomy” set in the world of rookie cops, “Copper” centers on Andy McNally (Peregrym), a newly minted cop fresh from the academy and the daughter of a homicide detective. (HR)
BBC Worldwide is co-producing a new Emma miniseries and a sequel to Judi Dench starrer Cranford for PBS’ “Masterpiece Classic” in early 2010. Romola Garai (“Atonement”) stars in “Emma. “Cranford 2,” will be presented in two hourlong installments, Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Francesca Annis and Eileen Atkins are resuming their roles. Heidi Thomas, writer of the original adaptation, will pen the sequel. (Variety)
Maya Entertainment has acquired U.S. theatrical and home entertainment rights to Mexican comedy Casi divas. Written and directed by Issa Lopez, the film centers on four young women from different corners of Mexico who get caught up in the frenzy during a talent search for a lead role in a movie. Film will be released in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and San Diego on Aug. 21, with a national expansion to follow. (Variety)
Katherine Heigl is starring and producing the new romantic drama Life As We Know It. Film is about two singles who are named as the guardians of their mutual friends’ oprhaned daughter (Empire)
Nora and Delia Ephron’s stage adaptation of book Love, Loss and What I Wore will have a 12-week Off Broadway run beginning in September. Show will have three casts of five thesps each, including Tyne Daly, Rosie O’Donnell, Kristin Chenoweth and Rita Wilson. Casts will play stints of four weeks each. Production is helmed by Karen Carpenter. Show is based on Ilene Beckerman’s illustrated look at the outfits she wore during different phases of her life. A series of sartorial-themed anecdotes, the legit version takes its inspiration not only from the book but also from personal stories of the Ephrons’ friends. Production begins previews at the Westside Theater Sept. 21 ahead of an Oct. 1 opening. Some proceeds of the run will go to charity Dress for Success, which provides professional clothes and job support for low-income women. (Variety)
Sheryl Lee Ralph has stepped into a lead role in the Broadway-aimed tuner adaptation of The First Wives’ Club. Actress joins Barbara Walsh and Karen Ziemba as a trio of women who are all dumped by their husbands for younger women. Francesca Zambello (“The Little Mermaid”) directs the musical, with score by Motown songwriters Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland and book by Rupert Holmes (“Curtains”). “First Wives” plays at the Old Globe July 17-Aug. 23. Specifics for the Broadway run, produced by Paul Lambert and Jonas Neilson, remain to be confirmed. (Variety)
