Jennifer Lopez’s forthcoming exotic dancer drama “The Hustlers at Scores” is seeking a new co-producer and distributor and is exiting Annapurna Pictures, multiple individuals familiar with the film told Variety.
Gloria Sanchez Productions, which was founded by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay and is run by producer Jessica Elbaum, is seeking a new home for the project that was slated for production early next year. STX is in advanced talks to acquire the film, one of the insiders added, and “Crazy Rich Asians” lead Constance Wu is in negotiations to take the lead. Lopez will produce and also star.
Another insider close to filmmaker conversations said creative differences were emerging as production moved closer to start. Reps for Lopez, Annapurna and Gary Sanchez had no immediate comment.
The news comes on the heels of an announcement that a high-profile film about the downfall of Fox News honcho Roger Ailes is being dropped by the studio some two weeks before production was set to begin. Focus Features is expected to take that film, which stars Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, John Lithgow, Kate McKinnon and Margot Robbie.
Lorene Scafaria is set to direct “The Hustlers at Scores” with Lopez starring, Variety previously reported, which is inspired by a New York Magazine article by Jessica Pressler. Scafaria’s script takes place in the late aughts of New York City in the wake of the financial crisis and explores the toll it took on the livelihood of the dancers who relied on their Wall Street clientele.