Patty Jenkins, the director behind the billion-dollar Wonder Woman franchise, is stepping into a producer role for the romantic comedy Best Men. The project pairs Jenkins with filmmaker Jason Crain, who will direct the feature based on Sidney Karger's script, adapted from Karger's debut novel published in May.
Best Men follows a romantically challenged "man of honour" who unexpectedly falls for the groom's charming best man, positioning the rom-com as a queer love story set against wedding festivities. The project marks Jenkins' expansion beyond her action-heavy filmography into the comedy-romance space, a strategic move as studios increasingly develop diverse genre projects with established auteurs attached.
Jenkins' production involvement signals confidence in the rom-com's commercial potential, particularly in an era when LGBTQ-focused narratives have gained streaming and theatrical traction. Her name carries considerable weight in Hollywood after delivering Wonder Woman (2017) and its sequel, making her presence valuable for attracting financing and talent to a modestly-scaled romantic comedy.
Crain brings directorial sensibility to a project that requires balancing character-driven humor with genuine romantic chemistry. Karger's novel provides source material with built-in fanbase appeal, offering the kind of literary adaptation credentials that appeal to prestige-conscious studios and platforms.
The rom-com genre itself has experienced a resurgence on streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, which have greenlit projects like Set It Up and Holidate. However, theatrical rom-coms remain riskier propositions post-pandemic, making Jenkins' involvement crucial for securing studio backing and theatrical distribution.
Best Men positions itself within the contemporary LGBTQ cinema landscape that includes successes like Fire Island and Red, White and Royal Blue, though with the wedding-centered premise offering fresh comedic territory. The project benefits from Jenkins' credibility while allowing her