Sofia Vergara, Stephen Fry, Tim Roth, Parker Posey, Alice Eve and Maggie Q will join Uma Thurman in the indie comedy “The Brits Are Coming,” it was announced Thursday by producers JC Chandor, Cassian Elwes, Robert Ogden Barnum and Dave Hansen.
James Oakley is directing from a script he co-wrote with Alex Michaelides. Production is currently under way in New York City.
The broad comedy follows an eccentric British con-artist couple, Harriet (Thurman) and Peter Fox (Roth), who flee to Los Angeles to escape paying a large debt to a notorious gangster named Ivanka (Maggie Q) after a failed poker game. In an attempt to raise the money, the couple approach a former associate (Fry), who secretly sells their whereabouts. With Ivanka hot on their trail, the pair scheme to win back the money by executing a jewel heist involving Peter’s ex-wife (Eve) and her new husband.
Ike Suri, Jaclyn Ann Suri, Larry Safir, Papu Butani, Quinn Meyers, Johnny Mac, Dee Haslam, Matthew Helderman, David Kyle, Dom Genest and Luke Taylor are executive producing, while Elliot Michael Smith serves as co-producer.
Fortitude International, co-founded by Nadine de Barros, Barnum and Daniel Wagner, is handling international rights to the project. The producers currently hold U.S. rights.
“‘The Brits Are Coming’ is truly a wildly hysterical ride from start to finish and promises to deliver on the laughs with such a talented and diverse cast on board to inhabit these unconventional characters. I couldn’t be more thrilled with this phenomenal cast in place which elevates the production,” said Barnum.
Vergara currently stars on ABC’s “Modern Family,” and she recently appeared in Jon Favreau‘s indie hit “Chef.”Fry is a Golden Globe nominee who starred in “The Hobbit” trilogy and Tim Burton‘s “Alice in Wonderland.” He’ll next be seen in Disney’s sequel “Alice Through the Looking Glass.”
Roth is an Oscar-nominated actor who will soon be seen in Quentin Tarantino‘s western “The Hateful Eight.” He recently co-starred in Ava DuVernay‘s “Selma.”
Posey is a Golden Globe nominee who currently stars opposite Joaquin Phoenix in Woody Allen‘s “Irrational Man.”
Maggie Q starred in “Divergent” and “Insurgent” and will reprise her role in “Allegiant: Part 1.” She was also the lead in CBS’ “Stalker” and the CW’s popular TV series “Nikita.”
Eve co-starred in J.J. Abrams‘ “Star Trek Into Darkness” and “Men in Black 3.” She’ll soon be seen in Chris Evans‘ directorial debut “Before We Go,” as well as the Kevin Costner thriller “Criminal” and the Anthony Hopkins–Al Pacino thriller “Beyond Deceit.”
Roth is repped by CAA and Markham, Froggatt and Irwin; Posey by The Gersh Agency and Authentic Talent and Literary Management; Maggie Q by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and Hilary Shor Productions; Eve by CAA, Independent Talent Group and Untitled Entertainment; Fry by Hamilton Hodell and ICM Partners; and Vergara by CAA and Latin World Entertainment.