“Terms of Endearment” is a 1983 dramedy feature adapted from the novel of the same name by Larry McMurtry, written, directed and produced by James L. Brooks. Starring Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Jeff Daniels, and John Lithgow, the film covers 30 years of the relationship between Aurora Greenway (MacLaine) and her daughter Emma (Winger). It was both a critical and commercial hit, grossing over $100 million domestically on a measly $8 million budget, and received 11 Academy Award nominations, winning five of them, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor.
A remake is reportedly in development at Paramount Pictures (according to an exclusive from The Wrap this evening), with Oprah Winfrey attached to star, and Lee Daniels in talks to direct – a potential reunion for the 2 who last worked together on “The Butler” which was released in 2013.
Paramount hasn’t confirmed the news at this time. Should the project indeed move forward, Winfrey would of course star in the film, playing the role originated by MacLaine in the 1983 film.
No other casting has been announced at this time. With Winfrey attached to play the mother, there’s a meaty role waiting for whomever is cast to play the role of her daughter.
Winfrey is currently filming Ava DuVernay’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” and will next be seen in HBO’s “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” and the second season of her OWN network drama series, “Greenleaf.”
Lee Daniels is busy with both “Empire” and “Star” on Fox, and is attached to direct The Weinstein Company’s Richard Pryor biopic, starring Mike Epps.