J.K. Simmons will star in the ensemble comedic drama “The Bachelors,” which will begin shooting in the spring in Los Angeles.
Matthew Baer and George Parra are producing and Jennifer Kelly is exec producing. Kurt Voelker is directing from his own script.
Fortitude International is handling foreign rights and will launch sales at the upcoming American Film Market, which opens Nov. 4. The Gersh Agency is representing North American rights.
Simmons will play a character dealing with the aftermath of the loss of his wife. He and his 17-year-old son move out of their small town into the big city in an attempt to get a fresh start. They both find comfort in newfound romance and grow apart and then back together again, discovering their true selves in the process.
Simmons won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar this year for “Whiplash” and was recently seen in “Terminator Genisys.” He will be seen next in “The Meddler” for Sony Pictures Classics with Susan Sarandon, and in Warner Bros.’ “The Accountant” with Ben Affleck and Anna Kendrick. due for release in October.
Voelker made his directorial debut with the comedy “Park” starring William Baldwin, Ricki Lake and Cheri Oteri. His screenwriting credits include Warner Bros.’ “Sweet November” and the animated film “Rock Dog,” with Simmons among the voice actors.
Popular on Variety
Baer produced Angelina Jolie’s “Unbroken.” Parra is an executive producer on David O. Russell’s “Joy,” starring Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper. He also exec produced “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle.”
Simmons and Voelker are both repped by Gersh. Fortitude is headed by Daniel Wagner, Robert Ogden Barnum and Nadine de Barros.
