'Grease' Prequel 'Summer Lovin' Taps Brett Haley to Direct

The “Grease” prequel movie “Summer Lovin'” has found a new director at Paramount, “Hearts Beat Loud” and “The Hero” director Brett Haley, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

Leah McKendrick wrote the script for the film that is being produced by Temple Hill and PictureStart. Haley is also taking over for John August, who was attached to direct the prequel back in 2019 when the project was first reported.

The prequel film will be inspired by the “Grease” song “Summer Nights,” in which Danny and Sandy separately tell their friends about the summer fling they shared prior to the events of the musical.

Also Read: 'Grease' Reunion: John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John Dress in Character for First Time in 41 Years

Paramount’s 1978 film adaptation of “Grease” was the biggest box office hit of that year, grossing $181 million at the domestic box office, or just over $700 million in 2019 money. Even today, it still stands as one of the highest grossing movie musicals of all time. The film launched John Travolta to super stardom and is still beloved today.

“Grease” also aired as a live musical on Fox back in 2016 as directed by “Hamilton” director Thomas Kail and Alex Rudzinski. The live musical starred Julianne Hough, Aaron Tveit, Vanessa Hudgens, Keke Palmer and Carly Rae Jepsen.

Haley last directed the Netflix film “All the Bright Places” that debuted in February and starred Elle Fanning and Justice Smith. Haley’s also known for the indie musical “Hearts Beat Loud” and the drama “The Hero” starring Sam Elliott. He’ll next direct another film for Netflix, “Sorta Like a Rock Star,” starring Auli’i Cravalho.

Haley is represented by WME, Grandview and McKuin Frankel Whitehead.

Deadline first reported the news.

John Travolta's Most Memorable Onscreen Hairdos (and Don'ts), From 'Grease' to 'The Fanatic' (Photos)

"Welcome Back Kotter" (1975-79)

With his wavy hair and million-dollar smile, John Travolta first became a hearthrob on this '70s sitcom as cocky high school student Vinnie Barbarino.
ABC
"Saturday Night Fever" (1977)

"Would ya just watch the hair?" Travolta's Brooklyn disco king Tony Manero is obsessed with his locks.
"Grease" (1978)

Travolta slicked it back to play a greaser in the musical phenom "Grease."
Paramount
"Urban Cowboy" (1980)

Travolta grew out a full beard to play a country boy trying to fit in in the big city of Houston.
"Staying Alive" (1983)

In this "Saturday Night Fever" sequel, Tony Manero tries to make it on Broadway while adding a very '80s accessory to his hair: a headband.
"Look Who's Talking" (1989)

Through much of the '80s, he sported a shorter, more professional signature look -- as when he played a pilot and dad opposite Kirstie Alley.
TriStar Pictures
"Michael" (1996)

Travolta sports a full fluffy mane of hair as an archangel hiding out on Earth. I guess mullets are heavenly?
"Primary Colors" (1998)

Travolta goes full Clinton -- including flecks of gray -- to play a presidential candidate very much modeled on Bill Clinton.
Universal
"Battlefield Earth" (2000)

The star did not hold back to play the dreadlocked villain in this epic sci-fi bomb based on a novel by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
Warner Bros.
"Hairspray" (2007)

Travolta drags out a dress -- and prosthetic makeup for his face -- to play Baltimore housewife Edna Turnblad. At one point, he even sports a bouffant look.
New Line Cinema
"Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" (2009)

In recent years, Travolta has gone for a more close-cropped look, as in this thriller as a subway hijacker.
Sony
"From Paris With Love" (2010)

Travolta goes bald for this forgettable thriller.
"Killing Season" (2013)

Playing a Serbian soldier hunting down American vet Robert De Niro, Travolta sports an unusual look that suggests Abraham Lincoln after a razor attack.
"The Fantatic" (2019)

Travolta's hairstyle is as crazy as his character -- a mentally unstable man who takes celebrity stalking to unhinged extremes.