Kay Cannon will direct the coming-of-age, treasure hunting comedy “79ers” for Lionsgate, Point Grey Pictures and Gary Sanchez Productions, Nathan Kahane, president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, announced on Thursday.
“79ers” will follow a group of estranged friends who are forced back together after 20 years to complete a treasure hunt they started as teenagers but never completed.
Dylan Meyer is working on the script originally written by Ben Schwartz. Matthew Janzen and Brady Fujikawa will oversee development for Lionsgate. Josh Fagen is overseeing the project for Point Grey. Kevin Messick will oversee the project on behalf of Gary Sanchez.
“Kay is wonderful at capturing characters in situational conflict and is the perfect choice for this re-engineered coming of age comedy. I hope when we are finished with this film it feels like ‘Goonies’ for adults,” Kahane said. “I have loved this script ever since I first read it. It has such great roles for a group of actors as our estranged friends have the wisdom and life experience of 30-year-olds but the baggage of their teen years that they have to overcome as they reunite for a legendary treasure hunt that has eluded them for decades.”
Cannon recently made her feature directorial debut with “Blockers” for Good Universe, Point Grey and Universal Pictures. It made over $94 million at the worldwide box office.
Cannon’s other credits include writing the “Pitch Perfect” franchise, which has grossed over $500 million worldwide, and she’s also the writer/director of the upcoming reimagining of Cinderella, which will star Camila Cabello.
She also created the Netflix series “Girlboss,” based on Sophia Amoruso’s bestselling autobiography. Cannon is represented by WME.