Emma Mackey Eyed to Lead New James L. Brooks Film

Three-time Oscar winner James L. Brooks is returning to the director's chair after 13 years with a film titled Ella McKay.

Per Deadline, Ella McKay follows an idealistic young politician who juggles familial issues and a challenging work life while preparing to take over the job of her mentor, the state's longtime incumbent governor.

Steve Asbell for 20th Century Studios told Deadline, "As one of the most empathetic dramatists of our time, James Brooks has set the bar across film and television for decades". Brooks is behind films such as Terms of Endearment and the iconic TV show The Simpsons. Asbell said, "Jim is also a foundational element in the bedrock of 20th, and we couldn't be more proud to support him in his long-awaited return to the director's chair."

Stars in talks to join the cast of Ella McKay include Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edibiri, Albert Brooks, Kumail Nanjiani and Spike Fearn.

Brooks has been busy this year producing films such as Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret and the TV special Maggie Simpson in Rogue Not Quite One. Ella McKay will be his first film as a director since 2010's How Do You Know.