If there’s one genre that has worked for Netflix – outside of serial killers, of course – it’s the romantic comedy. The genre has developed a loyal fanbase over at the streaming service, which made waves last year with its so-called Summer of Love, featuring films such asSet It Up,The Kissing BoothandTo All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Now, Collider has exclusively learned of another rom-com in the works at Netflix – and this one involves superheroes.
Netflix has acquired the original screenplayOmega Girl Falls in Lovefrom top comedy scribeTim Dowling, who wrote the script on spec. Sources say it’s a romantic comedy set in a world where superheroes exist, so the story features a fair amount of action. They also say that Netflix sees the project as their big-budget rom-com after having success with smaller ones, indicating that the streaming service will aim high in terms of casting. Of course, the next step will be finding a director who can strike the right balance between romance, comedy and superhero thrills.
Netflix has also tappedLiza Chasin(Baby Driver) to produce the film under her 3dot productions banner. Chasin has a first-look deal at Netflix and she’s a strong fit for the material given her experience working on severalRichard Curtisrom-coms during her time as an executive at Working Title.
Dowling is the writer behind theAdam SandlermoviesPixelsandJust Go With It, as well as thePaul Rudd-Seann William ScottcomedyRole Models. He also received story credit onOffice Christmas Party.
And yet,Omega Girl Falls in Lovemay have more in common with Dowling’s more action-oriented movies like theTom Cruise-Cameron DiazvehicleKnight & DayandThis Means War, the 2011 action-comedy that sawReese Witherspooncaught up in a love triangle withTom HardyandChris Pine. The latter film grossed more than $150 million worldwide, whilePixels,Knight & Day, andJust Go With Itall grossed over $200 million. That’s a pretty good track record at the box office.
In other news, Collider has learned that Dowling has also penned the most recent draft of Disney’s Christmas-themed action comedyDashing Through the Snow, which is slated to starKevin Hart. The scribe is represented by WME, Mosaic and attorneyRick Genow.
