Jerry and Janet Zucker team with Arclight Films for director P.J. Hogan's 'Mental' to star Toni Collette

CANNES, MAY 12, 2010 – Jerry and Janet Zucker, whose film "Fair Game" is in competition at Cannes, will next produce "Mental" to be directed by P.J. Hogan (My Best Friend's Wedding, Peter Pan, Muriel's Wedding) and starring Academy Award-nominated actress Toni Collette (The Sixth Sense) for Arclight Films, it is announced by Gary Hamilton, Arclight's managing director.

Scheduled to commence principal photography in Australia in January, the film's other producers will be Todd Fellman (Daybreakers) and Jocelyn Moorhouse (Muriel's Wedding, Peter Pan).

CAA is representing US rights.

Written by Hogan, the autobiographical story concerns a charismatic, hot-tempered, inspiring and completely crazy woman who transforms a family's life after she becomes nanny to five teenage girls when their mother has a nervous breakdown.

"Like 'Muriel's Wedding', 'Mental' is a comedy," says Hogan, "but a comedy based on reality, laced with pain and brimming with flawed but lovable characters. Shaz (the central character) was hilarious, outrageous, dangerous, courageous, inspiring, heart-breaking and totally, totally mad. And she changed my life.

"The film I make about her will be exactly the same."

Toni Collette was the star of "Muriel's Wedding" and in addition to "The Sixth Sense" also starred in "United States of Tara" and "Little Miss Sunshine."

Jerry and Janet Zucker previously together produced "Rat Race" and "First Knight" which Jerry directed. Jerry also produced "My Best Friend's Wedding." His other directing credits include the box-office hits "Ghost," "Ruthless People" and "Airplane."

"We are thrilled to be working with P.J. Hogan again," stated the Zuckers. "He is an inspirational director and this is a story that is a part of his life."

Commented Gary Hamilton: "This is a great team with a proven track record, and we think the movie will appeal to a broad audience worldwide. Arclight is looking forward to another successful partnership."