Deadline Hollywood is reporting not only that a film production is being mounted for Jason Robert Brown’s The Last 5 Years, but also that Anna Kendrick will be playing the broken-hearted-to-love-struck Cathy.
The Last 5 Years is a somewhat autobiographical musical about Brown’s first marriage. It follows the lives of young newlyweds Jamie and Cathy through their meeting to their divorce; Cathy tells the story in reverse, and Jamie tells it chronological order. The original Off-Broadway run netted Brown Drama Desk Awards for Best Music and Best Lyrics, and a nomination for Outstanding Orchestrations. Brown also received a Tony nomination for his Urban Cowboy score, won the award for his Parade score, and in 2005 released the solo album Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes.
Kendrick’s singing chops were most recently displayed in Pitch Perfect, but she’s no stranger to the stage or to musicals. In 1998, the actress received a Tony nomination for her performance as Dinah Lord in High Society.
Not much else is known about the film except that Richard LaGravenese (P.S. I Love You, Water for Elephants) is adapting it for the screen and will direct. We’ll be sure to keep you posted!
