Richard Gere Meets Franny

There's no Zooey here, and this is not a story connected to the prospect of newly unearthed and unpublished JD Salinger work. Instead, the Franny** **that has just attracted Richard Gere is an indie drama{ =nofollow}, and his first full movie since the excellent Arbitrage. We'd say he picks his films carefully these days... except that he was in a bit of Movie 42.

Franny is the first feature from prolific short film director Andrew Renzi. He wrote and developed the screenplay through the Sundance Screenwriters Lab earlier this year, eventually attracting the attention of production company Treehouse Pictures, who were also behind Arbitrage. There's no real synopsis of the film available so far, but Gere's role, presumably central, is "a hedonistic philanthropist who ingratiates himself into the lives of a newlywed couple in order to recreate the life he once had". You, Me and Franny?

Andrew is a remarkably promising filmmaker who we met through the Sundance Institute,” producers Thomas Fore, Jason Berman and Jay Schuminsky said in a statement. “He has written a beautiful script which we’re sure will connect with a large audience.”

“We’re thrilled to be reteaming with Richard Gere on Andrew’s brilliant feature debut following the incredible experience we had on Arbitrage,” said Treehouse’s Justin Nappi and Kevin Turen.

Franny will be looking for deals at the upcoming TIFF, and shooting is pencilled in for October.