The Hollywood Reporter says that the actress is currently in negotiations to co-star in the film for DreamWorks. Michael Leeson has written the script for the project, based on the play and subsequent film of the same name. No co-stars have yet been named, although the industry paper reports that Steve Martin turned down the chance to star in the title role.

The 1939 Moss Hart-George S. Kaufman comedy concerns a famous — and famously cranky — critic who causes misery in a provincial household, where he is forced to convalesce after breaking his hip. The lead character of Sheridan Whiteside is said to be modeled after critic Alexander Woollcott. Originally launched on Broadway on October 16, 1939, The Man Who Came to Dinner ran for two years with Monty Woolley starring as Sheridan Whiteside. Woolley also starred in a 1942 film version. Nathan Lane headed the cast of the most recent Broadway production, which was subsequently filmed for television.