Natalie Portmanis nearing a deal to direct an untitled film about Esther and Pauline Friedman, identical twin sisters who are better known as the writers behind the syndicated Ann Landers and Dear Abby advice columns, and the Oscar-winning actress also plans to tackle both roles, multiple sources have told Collider.
Katie Robbins(The Affair) wrote the script, and the film will be produced byPeter SarafandDani Meliaof Big Beach Films, the company behind such indie hits asLittle Miss SunshineandSafety Not Guaranteed.
Born in Iowa in 1918, Eppie (Esther) and Popo (Pauline), as they were nicknamed, were very close growing up, working together at Morningside College’s school newspaper and participating in a double marriage ceremony on their 21st birthday. However, once Eppie accepted a position as the “Ann Landers” advice columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times, Pauline decided to start her own column, which she called Dear Abby. This created a bitter sibling rivalry, and while the two eventually reconciled in 1964, their rift continued for decades, until Eppie passed away in 2002. Eppie and Pauline’s contentious relationship even trickled down to their two daughters, who continued the family feud going forward. Eppie and Pauline’s husbands and editors will serve as key supporting characters in the film, which does not have a start date at this time.
Portman previously wrote, directed and starred in the Israeli dramaA Tale of Love and Darkness, so she has experience working simultaneously on both sides of the camera. As an actress, Portman is coming off the acclaimed sci-fi filmAnnihilation, which struck a chord with critics to the tune of a 87 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. She is currently filmingFargocreatorNoah Hawley’s feature directorial debutPale Blue Dot, in which she plays an astronaut oppositeJon Hamm,Dan StevensandZazie Beetz, and she has also wrapped a pair of high-profile indies –Xavier Dolan’sThe Death and Life of John F. DonovanandBrady Corbet’s Venice-boundVox Lux. Portman won an Oscar forBlack Swanand earned nominations for bothJackieandCloser. She’s represented by CAA, Agence Adequat and attorney George Sheanshang.
Robbins has worked as a producer onThe Affairand as a staff writer onThe Last Tycoon. She’s repped by UTA, Aaron Kogan Management and attorney Jonathan E. Shikora.
