Poolman: DeWanda Wise Joins Chris Pine’s Directorial Debut

July 8, 2022

Following her blockbuster debut in Jurassic World Dominion, Deadline brings word that DeWanda Wise has officially been cast to join Chris Pine’s upcoming feature directorial debut Poolman, which is currently in production in Los Angeles. She will be joining previously announced cast members Pine, Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Ariana DeBose, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Wise’s notable film credits appearances in films such as The Weekend, Someone Great, Fatherhood, and The Harder They Fall. She also previously led Spike Lee’s series adaptation of She’s Gotta Have It for two seasons.

Poolman is being directed by Chris Pine from a screenplay he co-wrote with Ian Gotler, who are both producing through their Barry Linen Motion Pictures banner. Executive producers are Stuart Ford and Linda McDonough, with Stacey Sher and Patty Jenkins set as producers.

Described as a mystery comedy, the project is being pitched as “Big Lebowski meets LA film noir with a healthy splash of La La Land,” and is expected to feature some fun cameos.

“The film centers around Darren Barrenman, a hapless dreamer and would-be philosopher who spends his days looking after the pool of the Tahitian Tiki apartment block in sunny Los Angeles and crashing city council meetings with his neighbors Jack and Diane (DeVito, Bening),” reads the synopsis. “When Barrenman uncovers the greatest water heist in LA history since Chinatown, he makes uneasy alliances with a beautiful and connected femme fatale while following every lead he can with corrupt city officials, burned-out Hollywood types, and mysterious benefactors – all in the name of protecting his precious Los Angeles.”

Poolman reunites Pine and Jenkins, who is producing for Wicious Pictures. This marks their latest collaboration, following Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman 1984, and the limited series I Am the Night.