Tamra Davis has signed on to direct her first feature in 16 years. Deadline confirms the veteran director will helm artificial intelligence comedy “Turned On” for 20th Century Fox and Paul Feig’s FeigCo. Davis’ last feature was 2002’s Britney Spears-starrer “Crossroads.”
Written by newcomer Charlie Kesslering, “Turned On” centers on an engineer who’s as intelligent as she is socially awkward. She creates an android clone to take her place during stressful social occasions. Once the robot starts to become sentient, the engineer loses control over her own life.
Since “Crossroads” Davis has directed two documentaries on artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and myriad TV episodes of series such as “You’re the Worst,” “Younger,” and “Star.” Her feature films include stoner fave “Half Baked,” cult classic “CB4,” and back-to-school comedy “Billy Madison.” Davis started out directing music videos in the ’80s.
In March FeigCo. became one of the first companies to formally adopt the inclusion rider, a contract clause guaranteeing diverse casts and crews on a given project. FeigCo.’s films include the all-female “Ghostbusters” reboot, “Snatched,” and upcoming missing person thriller “A Simple Favor.” The latter stars Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick and hits theaters September 14.
