Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Reteam With '50/50' Director for 'Xmas'

[Akijama]

Director Jonathan Levine is set to reteam with his 50/50 stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen for an Untitled Xmas Comedy. Sony beat out several studios to nab the project, which is on the fast track for a summer 2014 start.'

The film revolves around three childhood best friends who reunite in New York City for their annual tradition of going out on Christmas Eve. Gordon-Levitt and Rogen will play two of the best friends, with the third lead role still to be cast.

The project also reunites the 50/50 trio with Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane, whose company Mandate Pictures -- now named Good Universe -- produced and co-financed 50/50. Rogen and Evan Goldberg's Point Grey Pictures also is onboard to produce Xmas.

50/50, which centered on a 27-year-old man's (Gordon-Levitt) struggles after a cancer diagnosis, became a critical hit and was nominated for a best picture Golden Globe. The film cost $8 million and earned $39 million worldwide.

Xmas was shopped as a package over the weekend and sparked heated interest from several studios including Sony, Universal and Paramount. In a competitive situation, Sony emerged as the winner before the dust settled late Monday afternoon.

Levine wrote the screenplay.

Rogen, Goldberg and Point Grey's James Weaver are producing. Drake and Kahane will executive produce alongside Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir.

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