Emma Thompson and Lily James will ask Tina Turner’s eternal question in a new romantic comedy from Working Title. They, alongside Shazad Latif (“Star Trek: Discovery”), will star in “What’s Love Got To Do With It?,” Deadline reports. Jemima Khan (“Impeachment: American Crime Story”) penned the script and is producing through her Instinct Productions company.
“Plot details are being kept under wraps but we understand the cross-cultural rom-com is about love and marriage and is set between London and South Asia,” the source notes. Nicky Kentish Barnes (“About A Boy”) is also among the project’s producers, and Shekhar Kapur (“Elizabeth”) will direct.
Studiocanal is financing “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” and is set to launch sales at the virtual American Film Market (AFM). Production will begin next month.
A former journalist, Khan is making her narrative feature debut with “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” She previously exec produced docuseries “The Case Against Adnan Syed” and “The Clinton Affair.” She also produced “Impeachment: American Crime Story,” a narrative portrayal of Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial that’s expected next year.
Last week, news broke that Emma Thompson will star in “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” Sophie Hyde’s comedy about a woman looking to jump-start her sex life with the help of a male sex worker. Thompson’s more recent screen credits include “How to Build a Girl,” “Years and Years,” and “Late Night.” She also co-wrote and appeared in the 2019 holiday rom-rom “Last Christmas.” She won an Academy Award for her lead role in “Howards End,” and another for writing the screenplay for 1995’s “Sense and Sensibility,” which she also toplined.
Most recently, James starred in a Netflix adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s “Rebecca.” “Downton Abbey,” “Cinderella,” and “Baby Driver” are among her other credits. James’ upcoming projects include “The Dig,” a drama about a 1938 archaeological excavation, and “The Pursuit of Love,” a three-part Nancy Milford series adaptation from writer-director Emily Mortimer.
