Dreamworks buys comedy pitch “Substitute Husband” from writer Michelle McGrath and actor Hayes MacArthur:
Plot details for the high-concept comedy are being kept under wraps. There are no producers yet attached to the project.
McGrath’s credits include the screenplay “Chip on the Old Block,” which she sold to Universal. She also penned a draft of “Lights Out” for Paramount.
She is repped by UTA, Benderspink and attorney Howard Abramson.
Okay, no details, just the fact it’s a high-concept comedy and the title: “Substitute Husband.” Want to take a crack at what the plot might be? Wife has derelict husband and must replace him for important weekend or business trip or [fill in the blank big event]
G rated: Wife wants to put kids into prestigious private school – weekend interview process.
PG: Wife wants to run for Mayor/President.
R13: Wife wants to show off a hot husband to old girlfriends at a reunion.
R16: Dark comedy. Wife accidentally kills nasty husband needs substitute for cover.
Jennifer Aniston or Leslie Mann? I'll bet Leslie.
No offense to anyone involved, but did somebody widen the high concept goalposts? I thought part of the idea was to bring something original to the genre; this sounds like "Wife Swap". Add balloon boy and now we're talking!
Or it could be about a husband who creates a clone and gets locked in a basement. The clone takes his place and expands the relationship.
As long as Dreamworks will keep financing comedies, or anything for that matter, I'm down with it.