EXCLUSIVE: Netflix has added another star-driven feature film to its slate. It has acquired Divanation, a comedy that has Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton planning to star as members of a once-popular singing group forced to reconnect after their volatile split and 30 year estrangement. It has been about 20 years since the actresses teamed in The First Wives Club, and this gives further evidence that Netflix is looking to broaden the demographic of its streaming service. Earlier this fall, Netflix pledged to make as a feature an adaptation of the Kent Haruf novel Our Souls At Night as a starring vehicle for Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, with Redford producing a script by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber, the team behind (500) Days Of Summer, The Fault In Our Stars, Paper Towns and The Spectacular Now. That one reteams Redford and Fonda, who starred in 1967’s Barefoot in the Park and 1979’s The Electric Horseman.
Lisa Addario and Joey Syracuse wrote the Divination script, and the film will be produced by Mythology Entertainment’s Brad Fischer, James Vanderbilt and William Sherak. Alan Nevins also is a producer, and Tracey Nyberg is executive producing. As the diva trio reconnect, the reunion proves tense and cathartic as they realize what made them so successful all those years ago. They are waiting for a new draft before they get a director and set a start date. The scribes are repped by UTA and Kaplan/Perrone, Hawn and Midler are CAA and Keaton is WME.
Netflix launched its original feature program with Beasts Of No Nation, a film which has been taken seriously in the awards race. The first Adam Sandler comedy, The Ridiculous Six, was just released on the streaming service, and the David Michod-directed Brad Pitt-starrer War Machine is coming.
Recent Comments
This is such awesome news!
Let me help them out: One of them is going through a divorce. One is unhappy in her marriage. The third one never married but had a great career as a singer which the other two resent bc her biggest hit belonged to the group when they broke up. Secrets are revealed. Old grudges resurrected. But in the end, it’s all good.
‘Bout time SOMEBODY decided to start offering starring roles to older actresses. If not on the silver screen, then the plasma one, I guess.
Fantastic! But wouldn’t it be better if they made sequel to First Wives Club instead?
No.
Enough with the sequels.
Wow.
This is all nice but come on Netflix, pull yourself together, you are in negotiations with three legends for a project, you might as well bring up a rather obvious second project : the 20th anniversary of The First Wives Club will be in September, 2016, so literally there wouldn’t be a better time to release a long-awaited sequel than then when the nostalgia factor will be at an all time high, no doubt. If you just need a pitch, look for “Sequel Idea” on the original’s IMDB page.
Maybe none of them want to do a sequel to FWC? Maybe the spec scripts they’ve read for a sequel have sucked and they’re no longer interested?
Could be the case. They all seemed rather keen on the idea of a sequel, only a couple of years ago, though, so I guess we’ll never know.
Not longer after The First Wives Club they were supposed to star together in Avon Ladies of the Amazon but it never came together. And, in regard to a sequel to The First Wives Club, apparently they liked the script but not the low-ball money that was being offered.
Every movie that was successful at the box office will have a 20th anniversary. Does anyone remember the year the Oscars were produced by the team that produced “Chicago” and had Zellweger and Company out on stage declaring “This year marks the 20th anniversary of Chicago!” as if anyone cared. My point is, the article is telling you one thing is going to happen, and you continue to cling to the thing that isn’t being announced as happening. So you need to just let it go now.
I love you bette milder and goldie hawn
I cringe when I see her name misspelled. Sorry to be that guy but it’s BETTE MIDLER
Omg yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This sounds awesome!! I adore all three of them…the First Wives Club! <3 Actually, a sequel to that would be a terrific idea, too…
Bette Midler is my favorite. Hocus Pocus forever!!<3<3
Would much prefer something original as opposed to another sequel. It’s hilarious. People complain about the lack of originality in Hollywood and how tired they are of sequel after sequel. Then when they develop a project that is original and starring 3 actresses from one of their favorite films all of a sudden they want a sequel. LOL!!!
I can’t wait to see the comedy. Looking forward to seeing it.
Netflix is making baby steps into becoming a studio, and no looking back.
ROFL…..this crap was already passed on by the real studios.
Bob, I don’t mind sequels a bit when they’re GOOD, and add onto a story that I liked in the first place. All I really ask for is quality…since nothing’s truly original anymore, anyway. We’re down to minor variations and continuations. ‘Divination’ sounds good; I love the concept of these three as bandmates. But still, the tale of the group that reunites/reconnects after a period of separation is hardly a new idea. ;)
BEST NEWS EVER!!! There is a Santa. I’m gonna finally five in and subscribe. Gonna have to get my mother on board as well.
YES, YES, YES!!! I love the movie. I can’t wait to see the sequel!