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Melissa McCarthy is set to star in Fox Searchlight’s adaptation of Lee Israel’s memoir “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Marielle Heller will direct the dark comedy from a script by Nicole Holofcener.
According to Variety, “McCarthy will portray Israel, who made her living in the 1970s and ’80s writing profiles of stars such as Katharine Hepburn and Tallulah Bankhead, cosmetics executive Estee Lauder, and journalist Dorothy Kilgallen. When she was no longer able to get published because she has fallen out of step with current tastes, she turned to deception, abetted by her loyal friend Jack, and began selling letters that she had forged from deceased writers and actors. When the forgeries started to raise suspicion, she turned to stealing the actual letters from library archives and sold them. In 1993, Israel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen property and served six months under house arrest.”
Producers are Anne Carey and Amy Nauiokas of Archer Gray, partnered with Israel’s friend and longtime confidant David Yarnell. Jawal Nga will exec produce.
Holofcener was previously attached to helm the film and Julianne Moore was set to star, but both have since vacated those roles.
