Deadline is reporting that Brett Haley (Hearts Beat Loud, I’ll See You in My Dreams, All the Bright Places) will direct Paramount’s Grease prequel Summer Lovin’ from the script penned by Leah McKendrick (Deviant Love, M.F.A.). Haley is reportedly taking over for John August, who was originally attached to the project back in 2019.
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The original 1987 musical classic starred John Travolta as greaser Danny and Olivia Newton-John as good girl Sandy, high school teens who after having a brief summer fling come to find out they are attending the same high school. Even though they come from opposite ends of the world, the two try to make their relationship work while singing now-iconic songs that still resonate today.
Summer Lovin’ is inspired by one of the songs, “Summer Nights,” which details the fling that started Danny and Sandy’s relationship. The movie will focus on that “fateful meeting and what followed.”
In 2016, a live-for-TV version of the original movie starring Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens won five Emmy Awards. Grease has remained a popular title and soundtrack for Paramount ever since it’s ’78 release, forever cemented in pop culture.
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Temple Hill (Love, Simon, Maze Runner trilogy, First Man) will produce Summer Lovin’ along with Erik Feig’s Picturestart.
(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
