The first images from the upcoming comedyLate Nighthave landed online, thanks to the announcement that the film will have its world premiere as part of the2019 Sundance Film Festivalin January. Written byMindy Kaling, the film starsEmma Thompsonas a legendary late-night talk show host who hires her only female staff writer (played by Kaling), only to see her world turned upside down. The decision was intended to smooth over diversity concerns, but has unexpected (and funny) consequences as “two women separated by culture and generation are united by their love of a biting punch line.”
Kaling wrote the screenplay on spec and at one pointGhostbustersandBridesmaidsfilmmakerPaul Feigwas going to direct, but he dropped out over scheduling issues. Instead, Emmy-nominated filmmakerNisha Ganatratook over as director, and her impressive resume includes episodes ofBrooklyn Nine-Nine,Transparent,Better Things, andDear White Peoplein addition to feature films likeChutney PopcornandFast Food High.
There’s really no better casting for a late-night talk show host than Thompson, and I’m eager to see the interplay between her character and Kaling’s. The film also marks a major accomplishment for Kaling, who wrote onThe Officeand wrote and createdThe MindyProject, and who’s also writing the upcoming Hulu TV series adaptation ofFour Weddings and a Funeral. This is certainly high on my list of films I’m excited to see at Sundance in January, where Collider will be in attendance. So look for our review of the film in a couple of months.
The film doesn’t currently have a release date, but you may check out the first images below.John Lithgow,Paul Walter Hauser,Reid Scott, andAmy Ryanalso star. The 2019 Sundance Film Festival runs from January 24th through February 3rd.
