(Left) Sydney Sweeney in ‘Euphoria.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO. (Right) Amanda Seyfried in ‘The Crowded Room,’ premiering June 9, 2023 on Apple TV+.
Preview:
Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried are boarding a new thriller called ‘The Housemaid.’
Paul Feig is set to direct the movie for Lionsgate.
Rebecca Sonnenshine is adapting the bestselling novel by Freida McFadden.
These days, if a studio can entice Sydney Sweeney to star in their movie, they will put Sydney Sweeney in their movie. Lionsgate is no doubt happy, then, that the ‘Immaculate’ and ‘Anyone But You’ actor has sealed a deal to star in a new thriller called ‘The Housemaid’ alongside Amanda Seyfried.
The film –– which will adapt Freida McFadden’s popular novel, rather than have anything to do with the Korean movie of the same name –– will see Paul Feig in the director’s chair.
With Rebecca Sonnenshine (who has written movies such as ‘The Keeping Hours’ and ‘Within’) adapting McFadden’s book, ‘The Housemaid’ sees Sweeney playing Millie, a struggling young woman who is relieved to get a fresh start as a housemaid to Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew, an upscale, wealthy couple.
But Millie soon learns that the family’s secrets are far more dangerous than her own.
McFadden’s novel has sat on the New York Times Bestseller List for over a year, and on the Amazon Bestsellers’ list for 98 weeks and counting. It also has a record-breaking half a billion pages read on Kindle –– behind only the ‘Harry Potter’ series. It has sold more than 3.6 million copies and has been translated into 40 languages.
‘The Housemaid’: The Studio Comments
‘Jackpot!’ director Paul Feig.
Here’s what Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson told Deadline about the news:
“I’m thrilled to have The Housemaid join our upcoming slate. A great filmmaker and a great cast with a great script from a great book is a terrific place to start. My prior work experiences with Paul and Amanda have been nothing short of spectacular, and Sydney is as talented and compelling as can be.”
And here’s the statement from Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Erin Westerman:
“The Housemaid is a certified phenomenon with over a year on the New York Times Bestsellers’ list, millions of copies sold, and a place on numerous critics’ choice lists. Part of the fun of the book was imagining the cast while we read it, and Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried are perfect for Millie and Nina –– they’re both mysterious, nuanced, and incredibly skilled at becoming characters who don’t reveal everything right away. We’re thrilled to team them with Paul Feig, who we worked with on ‘A Simple Favor’ and its upcoming sequel and has a proven track record of developing stories with dynamic female leads.”
As mentioned, Feig directed ‘A Simple Favor’ and most recently worked on ‘Jackpot!’ for Amazon. He has ‘A Simple Favor 2’ (or whatever it ends up being titled) heading our way next year.
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When will ‘The Housemaid’ be in theaters?
Given the schedules of those involved, we doubt this one will shoot much before mid-2025, so it may end up arriving in 2026 –– but no date has been set yet.
Paul Feig attends the World Premiere Of Netflix’s ‘The School For Good And Evil’ at Regency Village Theatre on October 18, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.
(L to R) John Cena and Awkwafina in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
On Prime Video on August 15th, ‘Jackpot!’ finds Paul Feig back in the sort of action-comedy territory that served him well for the likes of ‘Spy’ and ‘The Heat.’
Yet his latest, like a couple of his other recent efforts, has been sent direct to streaming, signaling just how tough it is for filmmakers’ work to find theaters outside of giant franchise or indie films that score a release. Still, it’s entertaining enough.
Does ‘Jackpot!’ succeed in the movie lottery?
(L to R) John Cena and Awkwafina in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
Though it doesn’t always exploit the satirical nature of its story, choosing instead to focus on frenzied action and gags, the movie certainly offers enough to keep you watching. There is sometimes the feeling that the improvisational style that Feig favors means a lot is thrown at the wall and not all of it works, but there is a solid level of jokes here.
(L to R) Director Paul Feig, John Cena, and Simu Liu in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
Writer Rob Yescombe’s backstory is in video game writing, and there are moments when ‘Jackpot!’ certainly has that feel –– it has very much a progression feel as Awkwafina and John Cena’s characters battle their way through different levels of enemies looking to take her down and win the money instead.
But it’s enough of a framework on which Feig and co. can hang plenty of jokes (and the original concept is sound and funny), and while a lot of the stunt work was likely devised once the script was already delivered, there’s lots of fun just in the basic ideas.
Feig has worked with action before –– in ‘Spy’ particularly, which remains one of his best movies –– and he knows how to respect both his stunt performers’ suggestions and abilities and his actors’ willingness to deliver the comedy.
Still, there are certainly moments where it feels like he’s just let Awkwafina in particular shout as chaos reigns around her, and one or two scenes could have benefitted from judicious editing.
‘Jackpot!’: Performances
(L to R) John Cena and Katie Awkwafina in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
Cena and Awkwafina are certainly the focus here, with some welcome, wacky support from Simu Liu as the corporate protection agent who has more of an agenda that he lets on.
Yet around them Feig –– whose resume includes work on shows such as ‘The Office’ –– builds a quality comedy ensemble with people he knows can deliver even in the smallest roles.
Awkwafina as Katie Kim
Awkwafina stars as ‘Katie’ in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
Awkwafina came up from YouTube and developed a career stealing scenes as a supporting performer in movies such as ‘Crazy Rich Asians’. Her particularly energy might not always be a natural fit for leading roles, but here you buy her as a frustrated actor and out-of-towner who can’t quite comprehend what is happening to her.
And she plays wonderfully off of Cena, their buddy comedy energy tempered with moments of vulnerability and their full commitment to the mania of the movie itself.
John Cena as Noel Cassidy
(L to R) John Cena and Katie Awkwafina in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
It looked for a long while like Cena would simply be following in the footsteps of wrestler-turned-actor types such as Dwayne Johnson, but in the last few years, Cena has really started to come into his own as a vanity free, committed combo of muscular action star and class clown.
Roles in projects such as ‘Peacemaker’ and, more recently ‘The Bear’ have shown his range, and while ‘Jackpot!’ doesn’t quite demand the same level of performance, it’s also a solid part for the actor.
His Noel is a welcome mixture of tough guy and bleeding heart, committed to saving lives for reasons that become clear later in the movie. And, as mentioned above, he works really well with Awkwafina, matching her comedy energy levels.
Simu Liu as Louis Lewis
(L to R) Agent Hoyt (Monique Ganderton) and Louis (Simu Liu) in ‘Jackpot!’ Photo: Amazon.
Some might see Liu and Awkwafina share the screen and start wondering where the ‘Shang-Chi’ sequel is, since they really do work well playing off each other. As Louis, Liu shows he hasn’t lost his comedy skills (since he got his start on Canadian sitcom ‘Kim’s Convenience’), playing the preening, corporate sleaze who makes money protecting lottery winners.
Ayden Mayeri as Shadi
(L to R) Shadi (Ayden Mayeri) and DJ (Donald Elise Watkins) in ‘Jackpot!’ Photo: Amazon.
Ayden Mayeri enjoys what could be a welcome breakout role as the vacuous, vengeful Shadi, a wannabe performer who runs possibly the worst Airbnb in Los Angeles. Together with bumbling boyfriend DJ (Donald Elise Watkins, who is also funny), she’s more than just a one-note comedy character, turning into a real villain as the story continues.
Supporting cast
(L to R) Murray Hill and Dolly De Leon in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
Feig’s eye for talent (both established and new) stands him in good stead for this movie. You have the likes of Seann William Scott and Dolly De Leon in the amusing opening scene featuring a previous lottery winner and the seemingly harmless grandma who takes him down. It could be seen as a parody of action movies or something that appears on ‘Saturday Night Live’, but it launches you into the film’s world successfully.
‘Jackpot!’: Final Thoughts
(L to R) Noel (John Cena) and Katie (Awkwafina) in ‘Jackpot!’ Photo: Amazon.
Would ‘Jackpot!’ truly have worked if it were released into theaters? Comedy has certainly struggled in the last few years, with much of it moving into the streaming world. And it was always a riskier prospect for studios despite the huge success of titles such as ‘The Hangover’ and even Feig’s own ‘Bridesmaids’.
Still, as it stands, it’s certainly worth checking out of an evening and will certainly make you chuckle.
‘Jackpot!’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.
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What is the plot of ‘Jackpot!”?
In the future, a ‘Grand Lottery’ has been newly established in California – the catch: kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion-dollar jackpot. When Katie Kim (Awkwafina) moves to Los Angeles, she mistakenly finds herself with the winning ticket. Desperate to survive the hordes of jackpot hunters, she reluctantly joins forces with amateur lottery protection agent Noel Cassidy (John Cena) who will do everything in his power to get her to sundown in exchange for a piece of her prize. However, Noel must face off with his slick rival Louis Lewis (Simu Liu), who also seeks to collect Katie’s commission at all costs.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with acclaimed director Paul Feig about his work on ‘Jackpot!’, his first reaction to the screenplay, making a comedic version of ‘The Purge’, his casting process, working with Awkwafina and John Cena, and executing the action sequences.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.
(L to R) Director Paul Feig, John Cena, and Simu Liu in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and the themes you wanted to explore with this movie?
Paul Feig: I mean, the very first time I was told about the screenplay and sent it, I looked at the title page, it said, ‘Grand Theft Lotto’. I thought, this is stupid, and I put it down and didn’t read it. Then it was my producing partner, Laura Fisher, who called me up and said, “I just read that script and it’s super funny. You should read it.” The minute, I got 40 pages in, it was just like, I must do this. Because I love physical comedy. Jackie Chan is a huge hero of mine. I’ve always wanted to make a Jackie Chan level physical action comedy. I like the message of it because even though on its surface it appears to be a very dystopian, sort of negative commentary on mankind, I find that it’s not. I find that by the time you get to the end of the movie, you find out there’s more people who would not participate in something as insane as this as there are. So, it’s really Nora’s world through this, she’s only surrounded by the people who’ve chosen to join this lotto and kill her. But then by the end you learn, oh no, this is not most of the world. So, I think it’s a very uplifting movie in the end.
(L to R) Murray Hill and Dolly De Leon in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
MF: ‘Jackpot!’ is kind of like a comedic version of ‘The Purge’. Do you agree with that and is that what you were going for?
PF: You know what, yes. I completely buy into that. I keep saying it’s ‘The Purge’ meets ‘It’s a Mad, Mad World’. But the thing about ‘The Purge’ is, getting back to the point about the lottery, nobody in ‘The Purge’ has a choice about being in the purge. Everyone must be in the purge. The lotto, the Grand Lottery, you choose to be in it. So that’s why I think we’re not… I love ‘The Purge’ movies, they are some of my favorite movies, but they’re dark.
(L to R) John Cena and Awkwafina in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
MF: One thing that do exceedingly well as a filmmaker is casting. Can you talk about your casting process and working with Awkwafina and John Cena on this project?
PF: Because casting is 90% of my job. If I get that right, then everything else just falls into place behind it, if you do it right. But I was lucky enough with this movie, when the script came to me, Nora (Awkwafina) and John were already attached. So, I was given this gift of these two thoroughbreds. But again, you just don’t know. They never worked together before. You’re always kind of like, I hope these people have chemistry. But they just had it, just bucket loads of it. I found that the best people that I work with in this business, especially comedians, have a chemistry with each other, because they are like tennis players. They rely on the other person they’re playing against. So, there’s no ego between them because they know each one is making the other one look good, and they’re making each other look good at the same time. But it was a joy to see that they had chemistry times ten.
(L to R) John Cena and Katie Awkwafina in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
MF: Finally, what was it like shooting the action sequences and working with the fight choreographers?
PF: That’s a dream come true. I love that stuff so much. But I also have a great stunt coordinator who I work with on this for the first time, who comes from the Marvel world and does all that serious fighting. But he, like myself, is a giant Jackie Chan fan. So, we were both, when we met, it was just like, we get to do all the stuff we’ve always wanted to do. So, he’d go off and work with his stunt team, and they would kind of film on their iPhones, these sequences, and then they’d bring it to me and I’m like, “Oh, we’ll try this. Let’s try that.” We’d get in there and it would like kids in a candy store. I’m like, “What if he ties her onto his back?” He’s like, “Yeah, we can do that.” So, we just plussed and plussed and plussed it all up.
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What is the plot of ‘Jackpot!”?
In the future, a ‘Grand Lottery’ has been newly established in California – the catch: kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion-dollar jackpot. When Katie Kim (Awkwafina) moves to Los Angeles, she mistakenly finds herself with the winning ticket. Desperate to survive the hordes of jackpot hunters, she reluctantly joins forces with amateur lottery protection agent Noel Cassidy (John Cena) who will do everything in his power to get her to sundown in exchange for a piece of her prize. However, Noel must face off with his slick rival Louis Lewis (Simu Liu), who also seeks to collect Katie’s commission at all costs.
