James L. Brooks, the Oscar-winning writer-director of Broadcast News, As Good as It Gets, and Terms of Endearment, is back behind the camera for his first feature in over a decade.
The first trailer has arrived for Ella McCay, a star-studded new comedy led by Emma Mackey (and yes, the Sex Education star’s name really is that close to her character’s) as a rising political figure trying to hold her personal and professional life together.
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Watch the trailer above and read on for the details!
Estranged dads, political headaches, and a well-earned scream
Ella’s career is moving forward, but her personal life keeps pulling her sideways. Enter her estranged father Eddie (Woody Harrelson), who reappears with all the timing and tact of, well, someone who’s never been great at either. Jamie Lee Curtis plays Helen, Ella’s aunt and confidant, who offers a practical solution to the stress: scream it out. Ella takes the advice—loudly.
Julie Kavner, best known as the voice of Marge in The Simpsons, is on board as the narrator and Ella’s long-time aide. “I’ve worked for her ever since she finished law school, so I’m not exactly neutral,” she admits. “I’m nuts about her.” For Simpsons fans, hearing Marge narrate a political comedy is a fun little crossover moment.
An ensemble stacked with familiar faces
Alongside Mackey, Harrelson, Curtis, and Kavner, the film features Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, Rebecca Hall, Spike Fearn, Becky Ann Baker, Albert Brooks, and Joey Brooks.
James L. Brooks also produces with Richard Sakai, Julie Ansell, and Jennifer Brooks.
Brooks on Mackey, Curtis, and coming back to directing
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Brooks said Mackey stood out late in the audition process. “She brilliantly played a 16-year-old [in Sex Education]… She plays a range of ages in this movie, and she’s remarkable.” He compared her to classic stars like Katharine Hepburn and Rosalind Russell, adding, “There’s a certain kind of great movie star we used to have, and Emma has a lot of those same qualities.”
As for Curtis, Brooks praised her presence on set: “She brings a humanity, moment to moment… and has the best hug in town.”
Release dates
Ella McCay opens in Australian cinemas on December 11 and U.S. cinemas on December 12.
