EXCLUSIVE: The Netflix pic The Fifth Whee, from Kim Kardashian and screenwriter Paula Pell is adding even more star power as sources tell Deadline Eva Longoria is set to direct with Gloria Sanchez coming on as producers of the highly-anticipated comedy. Kardashian is on board to star from a script by Pell and Janine Brito. Both Kardashian and Pell are producing along with Jessica Elbaum and Will Ferrell through their Gloria Sanchez banner as well as Cris Abrego and Longoria though their Hyphenate Media Group.
While plot details are being kept under wraps, insiders say Kardashian will play the eponymous “fifth wheel” alongside a female ensemble cast.
The project has been a priority ever since the streamer landed the package over Thanksgiving weekend in 2023 following a very competitive auction. To no one’s surprise given Pell’s track record, the script has been described as one of the funnier scripts in some time by a number of buyers who were involved in the auction and that stamp of approval was legitimatized with Gloria Sanchez immediately boarding the project after it landed at Netflix.
The production company has built a resume of not only producing popular, hit comedies like Booksmart and Theater Camp but films led by strong female talent both in front and behind the camera. Once Gloria Sanchez was board the next step was finding a director and it soon became important to all parties to find a female director to help tell this story.
After several meetings, execs and producers landed on Longoria as the right fit to direct the film following her critically-acclaimed, Flamin Hot. The Searchlight biopic marked her first major studio directing job and blew the town after it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and quickly earned strong praise specifically pointed at Longoria for her directing skills .
While that film leaned more on the dramatic end, it certainly showcased plenty of laughs and heart and became a big selling point for this pic.
As for Kardashian, this isn’t only big acting job in the coming months as the trailer for her highly-anticipated Hulu series All’s Fair dropped to a big reaction last week.
Longoria is repped by WME and Linden Entertainment. Kardashian, Pell and Brito are also all repped by WME. Kardashian is also repped by Cooley LLP and Pell is also repped by Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller & Gellman, LLP and Brito is also repped by. Cohen & Gardner.
