Catherine Hardwicke, Rachel Weisz join Toni Collette in Miss You Already

Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke and Oscar-winning actress Rachel Weisz have newly boarded UK comedy-drama Miss You Already from writer Morwenna Banks.

Weisz will star alongside previously announced Toni Collette as vivacious best friends, inseparable since childhood, whose relationship is tested when one becomes pregnant and the other sick.

The UK production, due to shoot in September 2014, is produced by Christopher Simon and Felix Vossen of Embargo Films, producers of I, Anna, The Sweeney and Still Life.

The Salt Company is selling the film internationally with CAA co-repping North America. Salt, Exponential Media and Maven Pictures are co-producing.

Director Hardwicke said of Banks’ script: “When I met Morwenna Banks, and read her script, I really felt her passion for this story - this is something she lived through. She managed to take real life and turn it into a powerful, laugh- and cry-out-loud screenplay.

“Rachel and Toni are incredible forces of nature — both are fearless in their choices,” she continued. “They dig deep to breathe humanity and humour into their characters. I can’t wait to work with them to bring this intense friendship to the screen.”

Producer Simon told ScreenDaily: “We’re over the moon to be working with Rachel and Toni, two vibrant, award-winning actresses. Catherine brings her dedication, talent and unique vision, which will create a film that is beautiful, funny and heartbreaking, all at the same time.”

Executive producers are Banks and Hardwicke alongside Samantha Horley, James Norrie, Barnaby Southcombe, Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler.

Entertainment One previously acquired UK, Canada and Australia rights to the film, which previously had other creative talent attached.

Hardwicke is repped by Manage-Ment and CAA, Weisz by Independent Talent Group, CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Collette by Viking Entertainment and WME.

Actress, writer and producer Banks is repped by The Agency and CAA. 

The Constant Gardener star Weisz is currently starring opposite Colin Farrell in Giorgos Lanthimos’ English-language debut The Lobster. Oscar-nominee Collette most recently appeared in Pascal Chaumeil’s A Long Way Down.