Cameron Diaz and Stephen Merchant to star in Amazon MGM romantic comedy

Cameron Diaz and Stephen Merchant are set to lead a new untitled romantic comedy for Amazon MGM Studios, with Merchant also directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with John Butler.

The project is being produced in partnership with Point Grey Pictures and producer-writer Lee Eisenberg.

The story follows a British workaholic employed at a luxury New York hotel who needs a wife for professional appearances. He makes a deal with a struggling stand-up comedian who urgently needs health insurance. What begins as a practical, transactional fake marriage gradually develops into an unexpected romantic connection.

The film brings together several frequent collaborators of Amazon MGM Studios. Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver and Josh Fagen will produce through Point Grey Pictures, alongside Eisenberg and Merchant. Natalie Sandy serves as executive producer.

Merchant previously worked with Butler on the series The Outlaws, and Butler is known for projects including Handsome Devil and Papi Chulo. For Amazon MGM, Eisenberg is best known as the co-creator and executive producer of the Emmy-nominated comedy Jury Duty, as well as past work on The Office and the hit film Bad Teacher, which also starred Diaz.

Diaz, known for roles in There’s Something About Mary, Charlie’s Angels and the Shrek franchise, continues an active return to screen projects with multiple films in development. Merchant, an Emmy and Golden Globe winner, is recognized for co-creating The Office and for writing and directing Fighting With My Family.

The upcoming rom-com adds to Amazon MGM’s expanding slate of original comedy films and series.