Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page are teaming up for a brand-new project—and this one’s got Will Packer’s name stamped all over it. The powerhouse producer behind box office hits like Girls Trip and Think Like a Man is bringing Italianna to life at Universal Pictures, with Kat Coiro (Marry Me, Matlock) on board to direct.
Plot details? Being kept tighter than a locked vault—but between the cast, the crew, and the creative team, this one’s already sounding like a must-watch.
The script was written by Ryan Engle (Non-Stop, Beast), based on an original idea by him and Kristin Engle. The film will be produced under Packer’s long-running first-look deal with Universal, alongside Johanna Byer for Will Packer Productions.
Universal’s Erik Baiers (Senior EVP of Production) and Jacqueline Garell (Director of Development) are overseeing the film for the studio, while Alvie Hurtado handles things on the Will Packer Productions side.
Coiro, who previously worked with Universal on the 2022 rom-com Marry Me, starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson, reunites with the studio for this fresh new venture. After wrapping that film, both sides were eager to get back in the saddle—and Italianna was the project that finally brought the band back together. Once Bailey and Page signed on, it was full steam ahead.
Bailey has been blazing her own trail in Hollywood—first making a splash (literally) as Ariel in Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid, then showing off her dramatic chops in The Color Purple. Now, she’s back for another major role—and clearly, her star is still on the rise.
Page, meanwhile, captured hearts and headlines in Bridgerton’s first season, which earned him an Emmy nod and two SAG Award nominations. He’s also starring in Steven Soderbergh’s latest film, Black Bag, alongside Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett.
As for Coiro, she’s been booked and busy—directing the pilot and multiple episodes of CBS’ Matlock reboot, while also picking up a DGA Award nomination and a Children’s & Family Emmy nod for her work on The Spiderwick Chronicles over at Roku.
Engle brings his seasoned action-thriller expertise to the table with a resume that includes The Commuter, Rampage, and Breaking In. With him on the script and Packer producing, expect something stylish, smart, and full of energy.
No release date yet, and the story’s being kept hush-hush for now—but with this team behind Italianna, we’re more than ready to see what’s cooking.
Bailey is represented by CAA. Page is repped by UTA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, Shelter PR, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. Coiro is with CAA, 3 Arts, and Sloane Offer Weber & Dern. Engle is repped by CAA, Michael Lasker at Mosaic, and Jeff Frankel at McKuin Frankel Whitehead LLP. Packer is repped by CAA and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.