Melissa McCarthy in Negotiations to Star in Thriller 'Turpentine'

Academy Award nominee Melissa McCarthy is in talks to star in a new thriller titled 'Turpentine.' The film, directed by Craig Zobel, is based on a screenplay from Justin Varava that earned a spot on the 2024 Black List. The project is currently being developed by production companies T-Street and ShivHans Pictures.

The Details

The plot of 'Turpentine' centers on a dysfunctional family dynamic involving a deadbeat son. According to the film's logline, the narrative follows the son as he recruits friends to rob his own parents in an attempt to settle a debt with a bookie. The scheme is described as having disastrous results, suggesting a high-stakes tension typical of the thriller genre.

Craig Zobel is attached to direct the feature. Zobel brings a diverse portfolio of high-profile work to the project, having previously directed or produced episodes of 'The Penguin,' 'Mare of Easttown,' 'The Leftovers,' 'Westworld,' and 'American Gods.' His feature film experience include 'Compliance,' 'Z for Zachariah,' and the 2020 satirical thriller 'The Hunt.'

The script was penned by Justin Varava. While Varava is known for his work on Disney Channel productions such as 'Wizards of Waverly Place' and 'Bizaardvark,' 'Turpentine' marks a shift toward more mature, suspenseful storytelling, as evidenced by its inclusion on the Black List, an annual survey of the industry's most notable unproduced screenplays.

Production is being handled by T-Street and ShivHans Pictures. T-Street, led by Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman, is coming off the production of the third 'Knives Out' installment, 'Wake Up Dead Man.' ShivHans Pictures has a recent track record including films such as 'Ice Road: Vengeance' and 'The Assessment.'

While McCarthy's involvement is currently in the negotiation phase, she is a high-profile addition to the project. A two-time Academy Award nominee for 'Bridesmaids' and 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?', McCarthy has a proven track record of balancing comedic timing with dramatic depth.

Context

Melissa McCarthy continues to expand her filmography with projects that lean into dramatic and suspenseful territories. Her current slate includes a confirmed role opposite Clive Owen in 'Unspeakable: The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey' for Paramount+, as well as a lead voice role in Warner Bros. Pictures Animation's 'Margie Claus.'

The Black List serves as a significant tastemaker in Hollywood, often elevating scripts into active production by highlighting them to industry executives. For Varava, the transition from family-oriented Disney content to a Black List-recognized thriller represents a significant professional pivot.

Director Craig Zobel's previous work, particularly 'The Hunt,' demonstrated a penchant for blending genre elements with social commentary. This stylistic approach may inform the tone of 'Turpentine,' especially given the premise of domestic betrayal and criminal desperation.

What's Next

Industry observers will be watching for the official confirmation of McCarthy's casting and the announcement of a formal production timeline. While there have been unconfirmed reports suggesting Connor Storlie may play the role of the son, those details have not yet been validated by the studios.

Further updates are expected regarding the film's distribution, as neither a studio nor a specific release date has been announced. The project remains in the early stages of development, focused on securing the lead cast and finalizing the production schedule.