Sam Worthington, Anna Kendrick, Chris Messina, Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy. Britt Robertson, Lucy Walters (“Shame”), Camille Mana (“Smart People”), Manuel Garcia Rulfo (“Bless Me, Ultima) and Oscar-nominated actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste (“Secrets & Lies”) will join Jennifer Aniston in the indie movie “Cake,” TheWrap has learned.
Daniel Barnz (“Won’t Back Down”) will direct from Patrick Tobin’s script, which was voted to the 2013 Black List.
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Aniston will play an acerbic woman named Claire who becomes fascinated by the suicide of Nina (Kendrick), a woman in her chronic pain support group. As she uncovers the details of Nina’s suicide and develops a poignant relationship with Nina’s husband (Worthington), Claire also grapples with her own very raw personal tragedy.
Messina will play Aniston’s ex-husband who still cares about her deeply, while Huffman will play the facilitator of the support group. Kendrick will appear as a ghost who taunts Claire. Mana will play Claire’s nurse, who has no patience for her demands.
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Adriana Barraza and Mamie Gummer co-star in the film, which Mark Canton is producing with Courtney Solomon, Ben Barnz and Kristin Hahn. Aniston will executive produce with Shyam Madiraju.
“Cake” is the first film under a new deal between After Dark Films and Shenghua Entertainment, which produces Chinese television. The new company is called Cinelou Films and it will produce five movies over the next 18 months budgeted at between $7 million and $10 million. WME Global, which co-reps “Cake” along with CAA, will represent Cinelou and assist in the sourcing and packaging of its films. Conquistador Entertainment began selling “Cake” at the European Film Market in Berlin.
Worthington, who can currently be seen in “Sabotage,” recently joined he cast of “Everest.” He’ll soon be seen in the indie movie “The Keeping Room.” He’s repped by CAA, Anonymous Content and Shanahan Management.
Kendrick had three debut at Sundance — “Happy Christmas,” “Life After Beth” and “The Voices.” She’ll soon be seen as Cinderella in Disney’s “Into the Woods.” She’s repped by CAA and attorney Todd Rubenstein.
Messina currently stars on “The Mindy Project” and will soon be seen in David Gordon Green’s “Manglehorn.” He’s repped by WME and attorney Michael Gendler.
Robertson, who next stars in Brad Bird’s “Tomorrowland,” is repped by Innovative Artists.
Macy and Huffman will soon be seen in the former’s directorial debut “Rudderless,” which was recently acquired by Paramount. They’re respectively repped by WME and CAA.