Meg Ryan to Direct, Star in Rom Com "What Happens Later"

Hollywood star Meg Ryan is set to direct and star alongside David Duchovny in the romantic comedy "What Happens Later".

The movie is based on Steven Dietz’s play "Shooting Star" by American playwright Steven Dietz, who also co-wrote the screenplay with playwright and novelist Kirk Lynn, and Ryan.

Bleecker Street has acquired U.S. rights to the movie and is planning a 2023 theatrical release while HanWay Films has boarded international sales and will kick off sales at this month’s Cannes Film Festival.

"What Happens Later" follows former couple Willa (Ryan) and Bill (Duchovny) meeting for the first time since they split decades ago as they find themselves snowed in, in transit, at an airport overnight.

Willa is still the wilful, independent spirit she once was, free of any ties. Bill, recently single, is reassessing his life and his relationships with his estranged wife and daughter. All each wants is to get home but over the course of the night, they find themselves at first reluctantly drawn together yet compelled to revisit their past.

The movie is produced by Independent Spirit Award winners Jonathan Duffy and Kelly Williams through their Ten Acre Films, Independent Spirt Award nominee Laura D. Smith and Kristin Mann.

Kerri Elder and Blake Elder of Rockhill Studios are exec producers alongside Bleecker Street’s Andrew Karpen and Kent Sanderson.