Jennifer Lopez is returning to romantic comedies. The “Shades of Blue” actress and multi-hyphenate has signed on to star in and produce STXfilms’ “Second Act,” a rom-com about a woman over 40 beginning a new career. This news, reported by Variety, means Lopez may have another title to add to her list of much-loved films like “The Wedding Planner” and “Maid in Manhattan.”
“Second Act” will see Lopez playing “a big box store employee who reinvents her life and her lifestyle, which gets her the chance to prove to Madison Avenue that street smarts are as valuable as a college degree,” Variety summarizes.
The rom-com was penned by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas — a producer on several of Lopez’s projects like “The Boy Next Door,” “Shades of Blue,” and a couple Lopez concert docs — and Justin Zackham (“The Bucket List”). Peter Segal (“Shameless,” “50 First Dates”) will helm the project. Goldsmith-Thomas, Zackham, and Benny Medina will produce alongside Lopez.
“There are so many things I love about this project and script,” Lopez commented. “People try to put women to sleep at a certain age. ‘Second Act’ is a story that empowers the every woman to do more, to be more, and not limit their dreams. I am thrilled to partner with STX as they continue to create and empower the female audience.”
“Second Act” is part of STX’s push for more female-led content. The Jessica Chastain-led “Molly’s Game,” about Olympic hopeful turned high-stakes poker game player Molly Bloom, “Bad Moms” sequel “A Bad Moms Christmas,” and R-rated puppet comedy “The Happytime Murders” starring Melissa McCarthy are among the company’s slated women-centric projects.
You can catch Lopez next in NBC’s 2018 musical event “Bye Bye Bird Live!” She’ll also topline and exec produce the HBO film “Cocaine Godmother,” about the famed criminal Griselda Blanco. Lopez is also a series regular on NBC’s “Shades of Blue.” The third season of the police procedural will air Sundays beginning in 2018.
Lopez earned a Golden Globe nod in 1998 for her portrayal of Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in “Selena.” “It was a meaty role, but it was few and far between, especially for Latinos to have a role like that,” Lopez has said about the film. “I think it’s still challenging for women, especially being Latina. Thinking about ‘Selena’ 20 years ago and to have a role like that, I was very lucky. I was very fortunate. But it’s still a struggle for women.”
