Somebody I Used To Know - What We Know So Far
Dave Franco and Alison Brie are proving to be a dynamic duo when it comes to filmmaking. Previously, the real-life couple teamed up for Franco's directorial debut, the 2020 thriller "The Rental," about a couple who attempt to have a weekend getaway with friends, only for it to turn into a nightmare. Although it only grossed $3.4 million in a year when COVID-19 made regular theatergoing nearly impossible, "The Rental" was still well-reviewed and currently owns a solid 76% Critics' Score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Now, after the success of "The Rental," Franco and Brie are teaming up for a project with a much different feel. "Somebody I Used To Know" will aim to be a throwback romantic comedy reminiscent of such films as "You've Got Mail" and "My Best Friend's Wedding." The upcoming movie was first announced on August 30, 2021 (via The Hollywood Reporter), but we shouldn't have to wait too long to see it.
Here's everything we know so far about Franco and Brie's latest collaboration.
What is the release date for Somebody I Used to Know?
"Somebody I Used To Know" doesn't yet have an official premiere date, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, it will debut worldwide on Amazon Prime Video some time in 2022.
That's a fairly wide window for when the film could premiere, but we can make a more precise guess based on previous work from director Dave Franco and star Alison Brie. The two last collaborated on the 2020 horror feature "The Rental," which Franco also directed, wrote, and produced. "The Rental" wrapped principal photography on May 24, 2019 (via Production List) and was originally scheduled to be released on July 24, 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic pushed back its premiere (via Deadline).
That's about 14 months between the end of production and the premiere. So — presuming that there are no pandemic-related delays — if "Somebody I Used to Know" were to begin filming immediately, the earliest it could premiere would be September or October of 2022. Most likely, though, it will arrive on Prime Video sometime closer to the end of the year.
Who is in the cast of Somebody I Used to Know?
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Alison Brie ("Mad Men," "Community") will star in "Somebody I Used to Know", along with Jay Ellis ("Escape Room," "Top Gun: Maverick") and Kiersey Clemmons ("Lady and the Tramp," "Zack Snyder's Justice League"). Brie plays the lead, Ally, while Ellis plays her ex, Sean, and Clemmons plays a young woman whom Ally befriends along the way. The rest of the cast has yet to be announced, but these are early days, so Looper will update this with more information when it becomes available.
The film is produced by Temple Hill Entertainment and Black Bear Pictures, the latter of which also produced "The Rental." Franco and Brie co-wrote the screenplay, and Franco is directing. Franco and Brie are also executive producing, along with Laura Quicksilver, Teddy Schwarzman and Bart Lipton. The film's producers are Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner, Ben Stillman, Leigh Kittay and Michael Heimler.
What is the plot of Somebody I Used to Know?
"Somebody I Used to Know" is an original romantic comedy written by Dave Franco and Alison Brie. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the story follows Ally (Brie), a woman who reconnects with her ex-boyfriend (Ellis) on a trip back to her hometown. Reminiscing about the past causes Ally to question everything about her current life. Then, Ally meets a young woman (Clemons),who reminds her of the person she used to be — hence the title of the film.
Even though "Somebody I Used to Know" looks like it'll be an extremely different project from Franco and Brie's first collaboration, it stems from the pair's mutual love of popular rom-coms from past decades. "Alison and I love romantic comedies and were inspired by the classics from the 80s and 90s," Franco told Variety. "We couldn't be more excited about working with Jay and Kiersey, who are both extremely natural performers, capable of bringing levity and drama in equal measure. And we're so grateful to have partnered with Amazon Studios, who have been incredibly supportive in helping bring this project to life."