After pulling double duty as a writer and actor on Fox’s acclaimed comedy The Mindy Project, Ike Barinholtz is stepping up to the big leagues with the lead male role in Universal’s The Nest, a comedy being toplined by Golden Globes co-hosts and famous celebrity gal-pals Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
The film, written by Saturday Night Live scribe Paula Pell, focuses on “two disconnected sisters (Fey and Poehler) summoned home to clean out their childhood bedroom before their parents sell the family house. They decide to throw one final rager in the house, which turns into a cathartic experience for a bunch of ground-down adults.”
Barinholtz, who last appeared as Jimmy in the comedy smash Neighbors, will play a neighbor and the love interest for Poehler’s character. He has proven himself to be a charismatic and hilarious actor while on The Mindy Project, so it’s really great to see him land what was a hotly-contested role (not surprising, given how big a draw Fey and Poehler working together is).
Currently, Barinholtz is primed for a major breakout, as in addition to landing this role, he also has the screenplay Central Intelligence in the works at Universal, with We’re the Millers helmer Rawson Marshall Thurber in talks to direct. Undoubtedly, Barinholtz’s pre-existing relationship with the studio is part of what landed him The Nest.
We were looking forward to this comedy even before Barinholtz came aboard, considering it will give Fey and Poehler the opportunity to share the screen for the first time since 2008’s Baby Mama (we’re not going to count their uncredited cameos in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues). Pell is also a very funny writer, which further gives us hope that The Nest will succeed in finally giving Fey and Poehler a film worthy of their massive talents.
The Nest will be directed by Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect) and will hit theatres on December 18th, 2015.
