Two-time Academy Award nominee Melissa McCarthy is in negotiations to star in 'Turpentine,' a thriller directed by Craig Zobel. The film, based on Justin Varava's script from the 2024 Black List, is set for production by T-Street and ShivHans Pictures.
'Turpentine' follows a deadbeat son who enlists friends to rob his parents in a bid to pay off a bookie, resulting in disastrous outcomes. As exclusively reported by Deadline, the project originates from Justin Varava's script, which appeared on the 2024 Black List. Varava is represented by CAA and Untitled Entertainment. Zobel, known for directing 'Compliance,' 'Z for Zachariah,' and the satirical horror 'The Hunt' with Betty Gilpin and Hilary Swank, has also helmed episodes of series including 'The Leftovers,' 'American Gods,' 'Westworld,' 'Mare of Easttown,' and 'The Penguin.' A DGA Award winner and three-time Emmy nominee, he is repped by CAA, Entertainment 360, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. McCarthy earned Oscar nods for 'Bridesmaids' and 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?'. She is next due in 'Unspeakable: The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey' opposite Clive Owen on Paramount+, and voicing a lead in Warner Bros. Pictures Animation's 'Margie Claus' with Cole Escola. She is represented by CAA and Mgmt Entertainment. T-Street, led by Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman, follows 'Wake Up Dead Man,' the third 'Knives Out' installment. The company has upcoming projects like 'The Only Living Pickpocket in New York' starring John Turturro for Sony Pictures Classics and 'A Place in Hell' with Michelle Williams and Daisy Edgar-Jones for Neon. ShivHans Pictures' recent films include 'Ice Road: Vengeance,' 'The Wedding Banquet,' 'Winner,' and 'The Assessment'.
