Awkwafina and Ike Barinholtz are teaming up to commit some crimes.
STXFilms announced on Monday that the two will produce and star in the studio’s upcoming crime caper comedy, “Crime After Crime.”
The film will follow a millennial podcast host who agrees to help the convict she’s devoted her true-crime podcast to prove his innocence after he escapes jail and turns up at her house.
“Awkwafina and Ike are comedy powerhouses who make a supremely funny duo, and we can’t wait to see what they bring to this sharp and fun material,” STXfilms Chairman Adam Fogelson said in a statement.
Dan Gurewitch and David Young will write the screenplay, with Nick Stoller and Conor Welch producing under their Stoller Global Solutions banner alongside Awkwafina, Barinholtz and David Stassen.
“Nick and I are huge fans of Awkwafina. Ike, not so much. But he was already attached,” Welch joked.
STX’s Kate Vorhoff and Catherine Hagedorn will oversee the film’s production on behalf of the studio.
Awkwafina, who broke out in last year’s “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Ocean’s 8,” will next star in the Sundance breakout film “The Farewell,” directed by Lulu Wang. The film, inspired by real events in Wang’s life, was acquired by A24 and will be released in July. She also has a role in the Sundance film “Paradise Hills.”
Later this year, she will star alongside Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in the sequel to “Jumanji,” and additionally she has co-created a show for Comedy Central that she will star in expected early next year.
Awkwafina is represented by UTA, Artists First, and attorney Isaac Dunham of Schreck Rose.
Barinholtz last appeared opposite Tiffany Haddish in his feature film directorial debut, “The Oath.” He also starred in the 2018 hit comedy, “Blockers.” Next he will appear in Amazon’s “Late Night,” which premiered at Sundance, and the Jordan Peele-hosted anthology series, “The Twilight Zone.”
Barinholtz is represented by UTA, Artists First Inc. and attorney Jared Levine at Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman.
Gurewitch and Young are both represented by UTA.