Tim Robbins and Sissy Spacek Join Emma Stone In Rom-Com 'The Catch' At Universal
Deadline
β’Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:00:00 +0000
π° What Happened
Deadline reports exclusively that Oscar-winning actors Tim Robbins and Sissy Spacek have joined the cast of Universal Pictures' upcoming romantic comedy The Catch, starring Emma Stone and Chris Pine. The film is described as a baseball rom-com in the vein of Bull Durham and Notting Hill, blending sports culture with romantic comedy conventions. Dave McCary, Emma Stone's husband, will direct the film, which is scheduled for theatrical release on May 21, 2027. Ashley Padilla and Druski have also recently joined the ensemble cast.
The casting of Robbins carries particular resonance given his breakout role in the 1988 sports comedy Bull Durham, where he played a hot-shot minor league pitcher opposite Kevin Costner. Deadline's sources indicate that Bull Durham served as a creative inspiration for The Catch, making Robbins' involvement a fitting full-circle moment. The script was written by Jen Statsky and Travis Helwig (most recent draft), based on an original spec script by Patrick Kang and Michael Levin. Emma Stone, McCary, and Ali Herting will produce through Fruit Tree's first-look deal with Universal Pictures, with Shawn Levy and Dan Levine producing through 21 Laps.
π The Backstory
Tim Robbins won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Mystic River (2003) and is known for films including The Shawshank Redemption, Bull Durham, and The Player. Sissy Spacek won the Best Actress Oscar for Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) and earned multiple nominations including for Carrie and In the Bedroom. Emma Stone won the Best Actress Oscar for La La Land (2016) and has recently starred in projects including Poor Things and Cruella. Dave McCary previously directed the comedy Brigsby Bear (2017) and has worked extensively as a writer and producer on Saturday Night Live. Shawn Levy's 21 Laps production company has produced major franchise hits including Stranger Things, Free Guy, and the Night at the Museum series. Universal Pictures has set a prime summer 2027 release date for the film.
π― Why It Matters
This project brings together an impressive assembly of talent β two Oscar winners (Robbins, Spacek), an Oscar-nominated lead (Stone), and a director making his mark on a major studio rom-com. The nostalgic nod to Bull Durham taps into baseball movie nostalgia while the Notting Hill comparison signals a return to the kind of crowd-pleasing romantic comedy that has been somewhat underserved by modern Hollywood.
Deadline reports exclusively that Oscar-winning actors Tim Robbins and Sissy Spacek have joined the cast of Universal Pictures' upcoming romantic comedy The Catch, starring Emma Stone and Chris Pine. The film is described as a baseball rom-com in the vein of Bull Durham and Notting Hill, blending sports culture with romantic comedy conventions. Dave McCary, Emma Stone's husband, will direct the film, which is scheduled for theatrical release on May 21, 2027. Ashley Padilla and Druski have also recently joined the ensemble cast.
The casting of Robbins carries particular resonance given his breakout role in the 1988 sports comedy Bull Durham, where he played a hot-shot minor league pitcher opposite Kevin Costner. Deadline's sources indicate that Bull Durham served as a creative inspiration for The Catch, making Robbins' involvement a fitting full-circle moment. The script was written by Jen Statsky and Travis Helwig (most recent draft), based on an original spec script by Patrick Kang and Michael Levin. Emma Stone, McCary, and Ali Herting will produce through Fruit Tree's first-look deal with Universal Pictures, with Shawn Levy and Dan Levine producing through 21 Laps.
Tim Robbins won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Mystic River (2003) and is known for films including The Shawshank Redemption, Bull Durham, and The Player. Sissy Spacek won the Best Actress Oscar for Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) and earned multiple nominations including for Carrie and In the Bedroom. Emma Stone won the Best Actress Oscar for La La Land (2016) and has recently starred in projects including Poor Things and Cruella. Dave McCary previously directed the comedy Brigsby Bear (2017) and has worked extensively as a writer and producer on Saturday Night Live. Shawn Levy's 21 Laps production company has produced major franchise hits including Stranger Things, Free Guy, and the Night at the Museum series. Universal Pictures has set a prime summer 2027 release date for the film.
This project brings together an impressive assembly of talent β two Oscar winners (Robbins, Spacek), an Oscar-nominated lead (Stone), and a director making his mark on a major studio rom-com. The nostalgic nod to Bull Durham taps into baseball movie nostalgia while the Notting Hill comparison signals a return to the kind of crowd-pleasing romantic comedy that has been somewhat underserved by modern Hollywood.