EXCLUSIVE: Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman) is set to produce rom-com feature Best Men about a romantically challenged “man of honour” who falls for the groom’s charming best man.
Jenkins is developing the project with filmmaker Jason Crain who will direct the the adaptation of Sidney Karger’s script, adapted from his debut novel.
Published in May 2023 by Berkley, the gay love story “follows romantically challenged Max Moody, who is asked by his childhood best friend Paige to serve as her “man of honor” at her wedding, only to be paired with the groom’s impossibly charming best man, Chasten. What begins as competitive misery soon gives way to unexpected chemistry, transforming the wedding Max has been dreading into the romance he never saw coming.”
Jenkins, the first woman to helm a major superhero film, is producing through her banner Wicious Pictures.
After reading the novel, Jenkins enlisted Crain — an associate producer on Wonder Woman 1984 and head of film at Wicious — to make his feature directing debut on the project. CAA’s talent and indie finance divisions are helping steer the project with casting discussions underway.
Karger’s second novel, The Bump (Berkley), is also in development as a feature. His third novel was recently acquired by Berkley. Karger’s original screenplay Fantasy Camp sold in a competitive bidding situation to STX and had Jennifer Garner attached to star. He also has a Barry Manilow biopic among his projects in development.
Crain started out at New Line and later worked on HBO’s Entourage before directing an LA revival of play The Boys in the Band. He is also developing features How Soon Is Now and Born Between.
“Jason has the perfect sensibility for this film,” said Jenkins. “He understands the comedy, romance, and emotional truth woven throughout this fun, original story.”
Crain commented: “Best Men is rooted in authentic connection — in those messy, funny, vulnerable ways people yearn for love and belonging. I’m thrilled to build on the book’s elements of surprise and delight in a cinematic experience that you may not expect from a rom-com. That is what makes this story feel so alive and unique: it is emotionally honest, wildly entertaining, and built to connect with global audiences.”
Karger added: “Patty Jenkins is a force of nature who creates magic. In all of her work, she finds the humanity in characters looking for love and meaning. Patty and Jason’s enthusiasm for this project is a dream, and together they have the vision to bring the story to life.”
Jenkins was attached to direct multiple studio blockbusters after Wonder Woman, including Star Wars project Rogue Squadron, but Best Men marks her first announced producing or directing attachment in the last couple of years. In 2023 she was a producer on Chris Pine’s directorial debut Poolman.
Jenkins is represented by CAA and Gang, Tyre, Ramer. Karger is repped for film and TV by Lit Entertainment Group and for publishing by Writers House.
