In what could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship, Lionsgate announced today that it has acquired distribution rights to One for the Money, the adaptation of Janet Evanovich’s first novel in her bestselling Stephanie Plum series. Katherine Heigl will play the gutsy, bounty-hunting heroine, whose adventures have spawned 19 books.
Last Song helmer Julie Ann Robinson, who previously directed Heigl on Grey’s Anatomy, will direct from a script recently rewritten by Liz Brixius (Nurse Jackie). Heigl will play the newly-divorced, recently laid-off 30-year old Plum, who, desperate for income, agrees to work for her slimy cousin and his bail bond company. She lands a huge case, a local cop wanted for murder. Turns out the cop is the guy who broke her heart in high school, and her investigation embroils her in murder, deceit, and a bit of romance.
One for the Money has been in development at Columbia Pictures since the mid-90s. Producer Lakeshore Entertainment acquired the property from Columbia and will now produce along with Lionsgate and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. Production is set to begin on July 12.
I just don’t see her as Stephanie, I don’t care how much she dyes her hair! Any word on who’s playing Morelli, or Ranger? If they have any sense at all, they got Betty White for Grandma Mazur.
Don’t know the book, but I hope Heigl is ruthlessly murdered very quick, sparing no detail.
Heh. That’s funny. On a figurative level, of course.
No, it’s old. We get it – Heigl is a horrible, horrible person who somehow garners much more hate from fans than the actor who used hate speech against his own castmate. I think Heigl is a talented actress considering how often she was usually able to convincingly sell the crazy, soppy material constantly given to her…but I think she’s chosen horrible film roles thus far.
Katherine Heigl is one of the most generous people in the world. Through the Heigl Foundation, she donates thousands of dollars to help rescue dogs and cats from the city and country shelters in Los Angeles and around the country.
Betty White – you read my mind! I think Timothy Olyfant could play Morelli, and Ranger? Well, it has to be the Rock.
EXACTLY!!! I have always thought that Ranger should be played by the Rock.
I can’t see The Rock as some smoldering pack of muscled hot man. He doesn’t look any babe in the eye and make her all warm and gooey in ‘those’ places.
with estelle getty gone, Betty White will do.
Also, it’s a comedy not a thriller and what the heck is up with this talk of filming in Pittsburgh. Why not just film in New Jersey like the books are set.
Yes, I definitely see Betty as Grandma Mazur….and Mark Consuelos as Joe Morelli and the Rock as Ranger. And as mentioned earlier, Sandra Bullock as Stephanie. These are the people I envision when reading the Plum books.
The Rock as Ranger is the only way to go…Mark Consuelos or Benjamin Bratt as Morelli and Sandra Bullock as Stephanie with Cloris Leachman as Grandma Mazur. I DO NOT like the idea of Katherine Heigel as Steph. Not a bit. I hope to be surprised.
I can’t picture anyone but The Rock playing Ranger, but I fear he is too old. And for Morelli, someone I think is totally hot enough (and the right age) is Adrian Grenier.
And I don’t think anyone but Steve Buscemi should be cast as Vinny.
Exactly!! I’ve read all of the books and The Rock is who I pictured the entire time! For Morelli, I always pictured a younger Mark Wahlberg.
Katie is perfect as a strong woman, firemendate
Danny Divito should play Vinney
Heigl is not a fit for Stephanie Plum. Actually Sandra Bullock would fit that role quite nicely if she were a little younger. She’s got the look and personality that fits the bill for this fun character.
Agreed, I always picture Sandra Bullock too. I’m not happy with Heigl at all!
I think Sandra Bullock is the only one who could pull of Stephanie Plum!!! Id they cast Betty White as Grandma… well it would be magic!!!!!!!!!!
I thought Sandra Bullock for Stephanie But I dont see Betty White for Grandma..When I read the books and I loved every one I always picture grandma Yetta from the nanny… Betty White nots wacky enough I am however having a hard time trying to figure out who will play Lula
I totally agree that Betty White would be perfect as Grandma Mazur and The Rock would be perfect as Ranger. I would also cast Mo’Nique as Lula. I just can’t see Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum. I always picture Debi Mazur when reading the book.
I think Niecy Nash would be a good Lula. Also Queen Latifa. It’s amazing how most of us agree on The Rock — Ranger all the way!
For Lula I think Neicy Nash or Queen Latifa would be great. It’s got to be someone who can pull off comedy. These too definitely can.
I always think of Debi Mazur as Connie
Actually Debi Mazur reads a few of the audio versions of the books and I haven’t stopped laughing yet…I have read #2-#12 and they are hilarious
i totally, totally, agree Ranger should be played by the Rock, he’s PERFECT!! and Sandra Bullock as Steph, Queen Latifa as Lula would be good, and Chloris Leachman as grandmom…Danny Divito would be a good Vinny, and then there’s Joe, well i think a George Clooney type maybe. But not Mason, sorry. Joe needs to be dark, italian, and jersey.
Nope! I love Betty White, but she isn’t soup-chicken-y enough to be Grandma Mazure. Chloris Leachman however, would be perfect.
Yeah, my first thought was Betty White, but I have to agree that Chloris Leachman would have the correct non-PC, go-getter attitude.
I agree I love Betty White but just does not cut it to be Grandma Mazure
I have always seen Sandra Bullock as Stephanie!!
omg i Dont think that she should play steff i am reading the book now and i think that the should of pick someone else
I hope the put Betty White in too!!! I am anxious to see the other choices
There filming some of the movie in my hometown Ambridge Pa as im typing this
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
That’s just what I was going to say! This is absolutely horrible casting news.
You took the words right out of my mouth. Anne Hathaway for Stephanie!
Exact comment to my sister a month ago when I first read this. Hate KH as an actor.
You also perfectly reflected my feelings… So sad…
Same here, so mad that KH got cast. ugh.
Terrible idea – hate this “Heigl” person. Love the books, thought Reese Witherspoon was a bad idea, this is just as bad. Jersey girls are gagging over this casting.
I always thought Sandra Bullock would be the perfect Stephanie, Queen Latifah as Lula, and Betty White would be hysterical and perfect for Grandma Mazur! I can’t wait to see who they get for Joe and Ranger
I always pictured her as Sandra Bullock too! I think Sherri Shepherd would be a good Lula
I’ve always pictured Sherri Shepherd as Lula, too!
Me too – I always picture Sherri Shepherd as Lula!
I’ve always thought of Sandra Bullock until recently. When I saw her on the Oscars I had to admit she has aged a little too much.
Sherri Shephard as Lula…love the Queen but I think she may be too tall. Sherri has the spice.
Me, too! Sandra as Stephanie, Sherri as Lula, Betty as Grandma, The Rock as Ranger, and Chris Meloni (L&O SVU) as Morelli.
THANK YOU!!! No one but Sandra.
me too!!! i always saw sandy as steph. ugh…katherine heigl is icky. blah.
Bullock is too old even the author Janet Evanovich said so recently. She was pleased Heigl was cast – video on You Tube.
Need someone bigger for Lula…Mo’nique?
OMG – Queen Latifah for Lulu is perfect…I always picture her while I’m reading
The Rock is a good one for Ranger and Betty White for Grandma is perfect, never thought of her. Maybe David Keith for Morelli
I agree with that, but I thought if not Queen Latifah than Mo’nique would be a good LuLa, Katherine Heigel is a terrible choice for this, Bullock would be great.
The Rock as Ranger? no… Queen Latifah as Lula? no, besides Lula is not in the first book… and she should be played by Loni Love… Betty White as Grandma Mazur – Hell Yeah! And I don’t know about Sandra B as Stephanie… possibly.
Lula is in the first book. Stephanie meets her when she is still a hooker while searching for Morelli. I would love to see Niecy Nash as Lula.
My bad, thought she didn’t appear til the second. Love Niecy but I still think Loni Love should play her.
you obviously don’t know your plum…the first book is where it all begins with Lula and Steph!
Lula is a major part of the first book, but I think she’s hardly in the 2nd book if at all.
It’s just been years since I read the first one…
Love Niecy Nash as Lula!
Crime thriller, LOL.
well, lionsgate makes horror and thriller movies, so I’m thinking this is going to have some edge to it.. I just hope they keep the humor…
Yes, a crime thriller. There is sex, crime, mystery, humor. You can’t call it a comedy that happens to involve someone brutalizing a woman. Plus, the first book was much darker than some that followed. Read the books again-while funny, a lot of the stuff that happens is pretty gruesome.
Not happy about this. She is the anti Stephanie Plum.
Exactly. It’d be another thing if she could act worth a damn. I knew when this movie happened, it’d be over before it began.
Heigl is not my first choice to play Stephanie, but I will give her the benefit of a doubt and wait to see the movie when it comes out. I WILL be royally pissed if she messes up my image of Stephanie. I think it will all depend on who they get to play Morelli and Ranger.
I agree, not my first choice, but absolutely noone thought Renee Zellwegger would be a good Bridget Jones and she was nominated for several awards. This is a big risk for Heigel. Maybe she’ll rise to the challenge.
Nooo nonononono PLEASE no! She is not Stephanie Plum AT ALL.
Too bad Sandra Bullock aged out, she would have been perfect. Now who do we want to play Ranger and Morelli?
I think she will be the worst Stephanie Plum. I cannot believe she was picked….ugggggggggggggggggggggggggg
and Danny DeVito as her cousin..
And Gina Gershon as big-haired Connie who works in the office.
DeVito is also way too old to play her cousin, Steve Buscemi for the win! (sorry just got though reading the Survivor update
).
So happy I’m not the only one appalled by this casting. She just doesn’t have the comedy chops to pull this off.
I’m not ecstatic with the casting either. Also, not thrilled at Entertainment Weekly for calling this a crime thriller! WTH?
NOOOOOOOOOOO to Katherine Heigl. I think Isla Fisher would kick some serious butt as Stephanie Plum!
Isla Fisher would be great as Connie.
I really don’t know about Heigl as Stephanie; not someone I can imagine as Stephanie. It makes me wonder who they will get for Morelli, Ranger, Lula, Grandma Mazur…I have always thought that Cloris Leachman would make a great Grandma Mazur.
That’s exactly who comes to mind when i read the books. Cloris IS Grandma Mazur.
Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum is the worst casting decision ever. They’ve just ruined what could have been a successful and profitable franchise.
I picture Vin Diesel as Ranger.
I too think Katherine Heigl is the worst casting decision. She has such a prim and proper look about her that wont change with her hair color. Just not enough Jersey attitude, I think Alyssa Milano would have been a much better fit. I am really disappointed in the choice