By Zorianna Kit and Chris Gardner
LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Gabrielle Union ("Bring It On") will topline USA Films' romantic comedy "Deliver Us From Eva" for writer-director Gary Hardwick. Shooting is scheduled to start this month, with Baltimore/Spring Creek Pictures producing.
"Eva" marks a reteaming of Union and Hardwick -- the actress starred alongside Bill Bellamy, Shemar Moore and Morris Chestnut in Hardwick's directorial debut, which he also wrote, "The Brothers," released by Sony's Screen Gems this year.
Union will star as the title character in "Eva," which centers on three young men who grow tired of constant meddling from their perfectionist sister (Union). But the simple plan, to pay a man to romance and distract Eva, goes awry, leading to surprising consequences and unexpected complications.
The script, which Hardwick rewrote, was originally written by Barbara Brauner and James Mattson. Newly installed USA Films president of production Glenn Williamson will oversee the project along with senior vp production and development Matt Wall and Baltimore/Spring Creek executive vp Len Amato.
"We are delighted to be partnering on such a terrific new project with filmmakers who we have worked well with previously," USA Films chairman Scott Greenstein said. "Gabrielle combines star quality with comedic timing, and we feel that she is leading-lady material."
Union said, "I feel honored to be working with Gary again, and I'm hoping to repeat the same magic and success we had with 'The Brothers.' "
Union recently wrapped back-to-back roles in Warner Bros.' "Welcome to Collinwood" and Paramount Pictures' "Abandon." Her other credits include "Love & Basketball," "10 Things I Hate About You" and the current release "Two Can Play That Game." She is repped by WMA, Strong/Morrone Entertainment and attorney Michael Fuller.
Hardwick is repped by Broder Kurland Webb Uffner. Baltimore/Spring Creek also paired with USA Films on Neil LaBute's upcoming film "Possession" starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart.