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Hot on the heels of Flora and Son, John Carney has his next project. Carney is going to direct Power Ballad, a musical comedy he’s co-written with Peter McDonald. Set to star in the film are Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, which is a good combination for the storyteller. The movie is currently in production, so more on this one soon.
Here is the press release with the announcement:
30WEST and Likely Story announced today that John Carney (Flora and Son, Once) is set to direct the musical comedy Power Ballad, based on a script by Carney and Peter McDonald (The Bachelor Weekend) with Paul Rudd (Ant-Man films, This is 40) and Nick Jonas (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, The Good Half) set to star. 30WEST will finance the film, alongside Screen Ireland, and executive produce. Anthony Bregman and Peter Cron will produce for Likely Story with Robert Walpole and Rebecca O’Flanagan for Treasure Entertainment, and Carney, all of whom produced Carney’s most recent film, Flora and Son, for Apple TV+. 30WEST, WME Independent, and UTA Independent Film Group will represent the domestic sales on the title, with WME Independent handling the international rights beginning at the Cannes FIlm Festival next month.
Principal photography commenced in Dublin at the end of April on Power Ballad, an uplifting music-driven story about a wedding singer, a rock star, and the song that comes between them.
“I’m delighted to be working with so many great people,” said Carney. “I’ve been working on this script with my buddy Peter for years, and now Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas are in my kitchen.”
“We are so excited to bring John Carney’s next film to Cannes. John has a magic ability to weave great music into wonderfully engaging and universally relatable stories that make audience emotions run high,” said Alex Walton of WME. “Power Ballad is fun and heartwarming – themes that audiences crave today. His unique vision, coupled with the global appeal of Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, will give buyers exactly what they’re looking for.”
Paul Rudd is a Golden Globe and SAG Award-nominated actor. He is currently starring in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire which has grossed over $188 million. He recently starred alongside Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez and Meryl Streep in “Only Murders In The Building” and was nominated for a 2024 SAG Award as part of the ensemble. Rudd is well known for starring in Ant-Man franchise which has made over $1.6 billion at the global box office as well as the Avengers films. He recently wrapped production on the independent film, Friendship opposite Tim Robinson and Kate Mara and will next star in A24’s Death of a Unicorn with Jenna Ortega.
Nick Jonas is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and businessman best-known as one third of the Jonas Brothers alongside his siblings, Kevin and Joe. His notable on-screen roles of Jonas’ include: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle; UglyDolls; Midway; and Chaos Walking. In addition to sold-out tours and multi-platinum albums, Jonas has flexed his musical acumen on television competition series including NBC’s “The Voice”. Most recently, Jonas starred in The Good Half, delivering a knockout performance in his first leading role.
John Carney is an Irish film director, screenwriter, lyricst, and former bassist for the Irish rock band The Frames. Carney specializes in musical drama and comedy films, with prominent examples including: Once, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song; Begin Again with Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song; and, most recently, Flora and Son with Eve Hewson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Jonas is represented by UTA and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham. Rudd is represented by Lighthouse Management & Media, UTA and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Carney is represented by Casarotto Ramsay & Associates, WME and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.
30WEST’s recent projects include A Big Bold Beautiful Journey with Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell for Sony and Marc Webb’s Day Drinker.
Source: Press Release
PAUL RUDD YESSS EMMY AWARD NOMINATION