(Left) Seth Rogen at CinemaCon 2023. Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures. (Center) Penélope Cruz at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Ferrari.’ Photo: Neon. (Right) Edward Norton arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Etienne Laurent / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
Preview:
- Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton are aboard ‘The Invite.’
- Olivia Wilde is directing it, and the cameras are rolling.
- Rashida Jones and Will McCormack adapted the script from a Spanish movie.
Olivia Wilde continues to keep her directorial career bubbling along. Following on her 2022 effort ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ the actor/filmmaker has narrowed in her next gig, which is already shooting in Los Angeles.
Wilde is both calling the shots for, and appearing in, new comedy ‘The Invite’ and she’s gathered quite the starry cast to lead it.
A middle-aged couple who are feeling stagnant in their relationship invite the younger and livelier couple from the apartment upstairs for a get-together that takes… Read the Plot
Via Variety, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton are all aboard the film, which reunites Wilde with FilmNation, the company behind her directorial debut, ‘Booksmart.’ Annapurna Pictures’ Megan Ellison, David Permut and Patrick Chu are executive producing.
Related Article: Olivia Wilde Directing, Margot Robbie producing ‘Avengelyne’ Adaption
What’s the story of ‘The Invite’?
Olivia Wilde attends the Academy’s 2019 Annual Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom on Sunday, October 27, 2019, in Hollywood, CA. Credit/Provider: Troy Harvey / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
According to the official synopsis, Wilde’s latest directorial effort is about a couple who invites the neighbors over, igniting an evening full of unexpected twists and turns, revealing deeply repressed emotions and unexplored sexuality.
The story has its origins in 2020 Spanish film ‘Sentimental’ (AKA ‘The People Upstairs’), which was written and directed by Cesc Gay.
It has been adapted a variety of times before, including into 2022’s Italian version ‘Vicini di casa,’ 2023’s Swiss effort ‘The Neighbors from Upstairs,’ 2024 French remake ‘Maybe More’ and that same year, a Czech movie called ‘V dobrém i zlém.’
This latest script comes courtesy of Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, who have collaborated on the likes of ‘Celeste and Jesse Forever’ and contributed story material to ‘Toy Story 4.’
What else does Olivia Wilde have on her To Do list?
Olivia Wilde arrives at the Academy’s 13th Governors Awards on Saturday, November 19, 2022, in Los Angeles. Credit/Provider: Blaine Ohigashi / ©A.M.P.A.S.
Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
In addition to this latest project, Wilde also has other directorial gigs in development, including Universal Pictures’ Christmas comedy ‘Naughty’ and Warner Bros.’ ‘Avengelyne,’ a film adaptation of the ’90s comic book character, both of which boast the support of Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap production company.
There’s also a new, untitled comedy project she’s been writing with ‘Booksmart’ collaborator Katie Silbermab.
As an actor, she’ll next be seen in Gregg Araki’s comedy ‘I Want Your Sex’ opposite Cooper Hoffman and Charli XCX.
What else is Seth Rogen working on?
(L to R) Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen in ‘The Studio,’ premiering March 26, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Rogen is enjoying success with his Apple TV+ Hollywood satire ‘The Studio,’ which he co-created, co-directs and stars in as a newly crowned studio head wrangling with the division between art and business in his job.
The show features an appearance by Wilde, playing a version of herself.
He was recently heard reprising the voice of Pumbaa in ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ and has the role of autocratic porcine in Andy Serkis’ animated ‘Animal Farm.’
Beyond that is Aziz Ansari’s ‘Good Fortune,’ new drama ‘The Wrong Girls,’ and a wealth of projects in development.
Where else can we see Penélope Cruz?
Penélope Cruz arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Etienne Laurent / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
Cruz was last seen in Michael Mann’s motoring biopic ‘Ferrari, and has ‘Johnny’s Inferno’ in the works.
She’ll be seen in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Frankenstein take ‘The Bride,’ and is starring with Johnny Depp in ‘Day Drinker.’
What else has Edward Norton appeared in?
Edward Norton in ‘A Complete Unknown’. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
Norton was Oscar nominated for his role as Pete Seeger in Bob Dylan movie ‘A Complete Unknown’ and is lending his voice as narrator for new documentary ‘Fasting and the Longevity Revolution.’
And, as with many of his colleagues, there are a number of projects in development.
When will ‘The Invite’ accept an invitation to appear in theaters?
At this stage, the movie has yet to lock down a distributor, so we’re guessing a deal is forthcoming or the rights will be available at an upcoming film market.
Given the name cast, we doubt it’ll take too long for it to be snapped up.
Olivia Wilde in ‘Meadowland.’