Marisa Tomei and Sam Rockwell up for laughs with Godere and Martin

Marisa Tomei and Sam Rockwell are set to star in Why Now, a low-budget comedy to shoot in upstate New York this November.

Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy’s Parts & Labor is producing the film, which is the brainchild of Michael Godere and Ivan Martin, who wrote the script and will also star and direct. Brian Geraghty (The Hurt Locker) is also among the cast. Tory Lenosky will serve as lead producer.

The project will shoot for three weeks on a budget around $500,000. Knudsen says the project is a bit “under the radar” and doesn’t have a sales company attached.

Parts & Labor is currently in post on David Lowery’s Saints (aka Ain’t Them Bodies Saints), which The Weinstein Company is selling internationally. That film stars Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck and Ben Foster in a character-driven drama about Texas outlaws. Jane Rizzo (Compliance) is editing.

Van Hoy had high praise for first time feature director Lowery: “David is incredibly talented. Working with him was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as producer.” (The other producers on the film are Amy Kaufman, James Johnston and Toby Halbrook).

After working with WME Global on that film, Knudsen and Van Hoy have signed with the agency.

Among other forthcoming projects is a likely December or January start for Adam Rapp’s Red Light Winter, to star Kirsten Dunst, Ben Foster, and a third pivotal role which is out to cast now. 

The outfit is also in post on Shaul Schwarz’s cartel culture documentary Narco Cultura, as well as drama Ma’ George by Andrew Dosunmu.

New York-based Parts & Labor has an output deal with K5.