What began life as a rather unusual quest to find love, and maybe get a couple of magazine articles off the back of it, has turned into a major motion picture to be directed by rom-com King Andy Tennant. That’s right, the Hitch director has signed on to direct Around the World in 80 Dates, one woman’s quest to find the right guy, wherever that led her.
The story’s based on a memoir by London journalist Jennifer Cox, who decided to try new things and look harder for a soul mate and generally go a little further than the nearest dating website. With that in mind, she spread the word that she was looking for someone to meet to friends and contacts worldwide, and then went travelling around the world to go on dates with all of them. That’s right – 80 men from 16 countries. Admittedly, that might sound like a tame night round Lindsay Lohan’s house, but for most people that ain’t bad going. Happily, Cox found Mr Right along the way – but with the rest of her dates already lined up and waiting, was she ready to stop dead a few thousand miles from home? Well, you’ll have to read the book / see the film to find out.
The film’s being produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Type A Productions, so don’t be too surprised if Witherspoon (who previously worked with Tennant on Sweet Home** **Alabama) decides to star as well. The script’s being polished by Gwyn Lurie, who recently did uncredited work on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Expect Tennant to start work on it after he finishes Fool’s Gold with Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson.