Renée Zellweger to direct, star in “4 ½ Minutes” comedy

PanARMENIAN.Net - Renée Zellweger will star alongside Johnny Knoxville in “4 ½ Minutes,” a comedy that will mark the directorial debut for the actress, K5 International and PalmStar Media Capital announced, according to TheWrap.

Set in New York City's stand-up comedy world, Knoxville will play Jimmy Bennett, a commitment-phobic comedian whose life is falling apart when he takes a job looking after the genius son of single mom P.J. Andersen, played by Zellweger.

The film is written by Anthony Tambakis, and is based on the life and comedy of real-life stand-up Dov Davidoff, with whom Tambakis created the story. The film will be produced by PalmStar’s Kevin Frakes, and Zellweger and Tambakis through their All Together Now banner. K5 International will begin introducing the project to buyers at Toronto. CAA is handling North American rights.

The project marks the third collaboration for the actress and writer, who recently received a pilot order for their original series “Cinnamon Girl.”

Zellweger will also star in the upcoming Broadway adaptation of “The Hustler,” written by Tambakis and to be directed by Gavin O’Connor. “It´s great to be working with Renée as a partner on this project,” say K5’s co-founders Oliver Simon and Daniel Baur. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to support her as she moves into her first directing role.”

Raj Brinder Singh will executive produce "4 1/2 Minutes." PalmStar Media Capital will finance the film, which is scheduled to begin production in New York City in February 2013.