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It’s a premise with a lot of potential, but with Rothman also being eyed to direct, it’s a little disappointing that the studio hasn’t gone for a female filmmaker. The project has been in development since last year and initially made a promising move by hiring Broad City scribes Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs to pen the screenplay. However, after delivering a different pitch, Bob’s Burgers writers Lizzie and Wendy Molyneux were chosen to pen another version of the film, and the Jump Street spinoff was then put on a “dual track” by the studio.
This explains why Rothman has now come on board the project as it’s common for a third writer to Frankenstein the best parts of both scripts to come up with a single version. It’s a method which doesn’t have the best track record, so that too is a pretty concerning sign.
Rothman’s past writing credits include Get Him To The Greek and Grudge Match, while he also penned the Jump Street/Men in Black mashup which Deadline says remains in active development. Jonah Hill doesn’t think it’s happening though, so chances are this female led spinoff will reach the big screen first. For now, we’re obviously going to have to wait and see!