Academy Award winner Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Volver), is set to star in the drama Layover from writer and director Toni Kalem (A Slipping Down Life, The Sopranos), it was announced today by producers Animus Films’ Jim Young (Lovelace, The Man Who Knew Infinity) and Serena Films’ Tatiana Kelly (The Words, Life of a King). Penelope Cruz will also produce Layover alongside Young and Kelly with Fortitude International’s Nadine de Barros (Drunk Parents, Vincent n Roxxy) and Robert Barnum (Drunk Parents, Elvis & Nixon) serving as executive producers. Fortitude International is financing the project, currently in pre-production.
Layover adapts the novel of the same name by best-selling author Lisa Zeidner. It tells the story of Claire Newbold, a successful traveling saleswoman, who decides to go on the lam from her life. A master of reinvention, Claire’s fierce, funny and falling apart. She develops elaborate scams for sneaking into hotel rooms, alone or with a guest, and a passion for swimming in their pools. A road movie of sorts, Layover follows this inventive and atypical heroine who goes off the deep end, and has to find her way back to shore.
“Toni Kalem’s beautifully layered adaptation of Lisa Zeidner’s acclaimed book is a provocative blend of humor and heartbreak,” says Kelly. “With the addition of the incomparable Penelope Cruz to our team, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase such strong female talent both in front of and behind the camera.”
“We are looking forward to working with the outstanding Penelope Cruz on this film both on screen and behind the scenes,” adds de Barros. “Toni is the perfect match to direct this project and bring a strong woman’s perspective to this personal and enthralling story of escape and self-discovery.”
Fortitude International is handling foreign rights and will present the project to buyers in Cannes.
