EXCLUSIVE: Golden Globe winner Jennifer Garner (Alias) is set to star with Golden Globe winner Paul Walter Hauser (Black Bird) in true-crime movie Fruitcake.
Max Winkler (Flower, American Horror Story) is directing the true story about Sandy and Kay Jenkins, a seemingly upstanding middle-class couple who went on to embezzle millions from popular Texas-based business Collin Street Bakery. Hauser will play Sandy — an unassuming accountant who was funnelling large sums of money into his accounts and credit card bills to support a lavish lifestyle, including expensive jewellery, private jet trips, and a second home in New Mexico — while Garner will play his wife Kay.
Based on the Texas Monthly article Just Desserts by Katy Vine, who will serve as a consultant, the Black-List screenplay is written by Trey Selman, and produced by Red Sanders at Texas-based Red Entertainment along with Trey Selman.
The Exchange is arranging financing and representing the film’s worldwide distribution rights, having previously worked with Winkler on Zoey Deutch starrer Flower.
Executive producers are Brian O’Shea and Danny Gusman of The Exchange with Collin Street president and CEO Bob McNutt and Texas Monthly’s Scott Brown and Megan Creydt.
Garner has Deadpool And Wolverine upcoming while Hauser has Inside Out 2 and War Unfolding in post.
Winkler said: “For years I have been a fan of Trey Selman’s writing and completely original voice. He is like this Texan monk / philosopher / historian / cowboy who wears his heart on his sleeve and writes the truth in every subject he approaches. However, the saga of the Collin Street Bakery’s fruitcake factory, based on Katy Vine’s brilliant article, remains our white whale. I’m thrilled and honored to get to bring it all to the screen with this wonderful team we have assembled.”
Five years ago the project was being set up with different financiers and Laura Dern and Will Ferrell attached but it has undergone a makeover.
Garner is represented by CAA, Linden Entertainment and Sloane Offer, Hauser by CAA and Artists First and Winkler by CAA and Entertainment 360. Texas Monthly is represented by CAA.
