Jay Roach Boards Sci-Fi Romance 'Intelligent Life'

Jay Roach has signed on to polish the existing script for Amblin Entertainment’s science-fiction romance movie “Intelligent Life,” TheWrap has confirmed.

Originally set with Ava DuVernay as director and Lupita Nyong’o to star, the feature could also wind up with Roach in the director’s chair after DuVernay departed to direct Disney’s adaptation of the Madeleine L’Engle classic book “A Wrinkle in Time.” That move put “Intelligent Life” on hold and also led to the exit of Nyong’o.

“Intelligent Life” is based on an original screenplay by “Jurassic World” helmer Colin Trevorrow and his creative partner Derek Connolly. It revolves around a U.N. worker who, while analyzing phenomena in space, makes contact with a beautiful woman who may not actually be human.

Also Read: Ava DuVernay Drops Out of Lupita Nyong'o's 'Intelligent Life'

Steven Spielberg‘s Amblin Entertainment is producing, as are Trevorrow, Frank Marshall and Peter Saraf. Connolly and Marc Turtletaub will serve as executive producers.

Roach is best known for directing “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,” its sequels and “Meet the Parents.” After a recent move into more dramatic fare, he helmed “Trumbo,” which scored Bryan Cranston a Best Actor Oscar nomination.

This year, Roach was also nominated for two Emmys for HBO’s “All the Way,” which also starred Cranston.

Also Read: Emmy Contender Jay Roach on How His 1964 Civil Rights Drama 'All the Way' Is 'About Now'

He is represented by WME and Mosaic.

7 People You Never Expected to Make Bank on the DreamWorks Animation Deal (Photos)

Co-founders Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg enjoy the biggest individual stakes in DreamWork's Animation, with Katzenberg's holdings worth a whopping $408 million and Spielberg's worth $187.6 million after Comcast's takeover. But thanks to shares issued to directors and other former execs, a handful of other Hollywood names stand to make a pretty penny in the deal, too.
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Jason Kilar, best known for being the CEO who built video streaming site Hulu from "Clown Co." into a legitimate force in online video, holds a stake thanks to his seat on the board. His holdings are worth nearly $1 million after the Comcast deal.
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Lucian Grainge, who is the head of the world's biggest music label, Universal Music Group, also holds shares because of his board seat. His stake is also nearly $1 million.
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Investment banker Mellody Hobson is DreamWorks Animations chairman since 2012, after eight years as a director. The investment banker, who also serves on the boards for two of George Lucas' foundations, has a stake worth $4.7 million.
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Former Viacom CEO Tom Freston joined DreamWorks Animation's board nearly nine years ago. His stake is worth $2.7 million.
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Entertainment lawyer Skip Brittenham's eight years on the board have built him a stake worth $2.5 million after the Comcast deal.
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Ann Daly, pictured left, is a longtime exec at DreamWorks Animation, serving currently as president and previously as chief operating officer for a decade. After the Comcast deal, her stake in the company is worth $40 million.
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Lew Coleman, another longtime exec at the studio, served for years as vice chairman and chief financial officer. His holdings will be worth $52.7 million when Comcast closes the deal.
Lew Coleman/LinkedIn

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Comcast’s $3.8 billion takeover of DreamWorks Animation will bring big hauls for Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg… and some people who will surprise you

Co-founders Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg enjoy the biggest individual stakes in DreamWork's Animation, with Katzenberg's holdings worth a whopping $408 million and Spielberg's worth $187.6 million after Comcast's takeover. But thanks to shares issued to directors and other former execs, a handful of other Hollywood names stand to make a pretty penny in the deal, too.

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7 People You Never Expected to Make Bank on the DreamWorks Animation Deal (Photos)

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