Chris Pine Circling Lead Opposite Emma Stone In Universal Rom-Com ‘The Catch’ – The Dish

Universal‘s upcoming romantic comedy The Catch starring Emma Stone looks to be gaining some serious momentum as sources tell Deadline that Chris Pine is in talks to star opposite the two-time Oscar winner. Dave McCary is directing the pic from a script by Patrick Kang and Michael Levin.

Universal had no comment on the Pine talks.

Plot details remain unknown other then it being described as a two-hander rom-com. If a deal does close, this likely would be the next film Stone shoots. She had been weighing several options in the fall, but after a recent draft came in on The Catch, she turned her attention to this project. Several stars went after the role once word got out around town Stone was eyeing this as her next film, but Pine landed it after multiple meetings with execs and producers.

Shawn Levy and Dan Levine will produce through 21 Laps. Michael H. Weber will produce. Stone, McCary and Ali Herting will produce through Fruit Tree. Universal signed Fruit Tree to a first-look deal after landing the film in 2024.

Universal’s Senior EVP Production Development Erik Baiers and Creative Executive Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.

As for Pine, the Star Trek star is coming off strong reviews for Carousel, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last month. The film also stars Jenny Slate and Katey Sagal.

He is repped by CAA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Gendler, Kelly & Cunningham.