Distributor Universal Pictures is behind new film titled Italianna, which is set to star Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page. Kat Coiro is directing the film from a screenplay by Ryan Engle, based on a story that Engle conceived with Kristin Engle. The makers are yet to reveal specifics of the plot. Will Packer and Johanna Byer of Will Packer Productions will serve as producers through their existing first-look agreement with Universal Pictures.

Senior Executive Vice President Erik Baiers and Director of Development Jacqueline Garell at Universal Pictures will look after the project for the studio, while Alvie Hurtado will manage it for Will Packer Productions.

This collaboration between Coiro and Universal Pictures follows their romantic comedy Marry Me, featuring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson. Eager to work together again, they identified Italianna as their next venture. They quickly secured Bailey and Page for the lead roles, paving the way for the film to enter production.

Halle Bailey gained prominence as a part of Chloe x Halle, the Grammy award-winning musical duo. She transitioned to film with her starring role in Disney's adaptation of The Little Mermaid in live action and subsequently appeared in Warner Bros' reimagining of The Color Purple.

Regé-Jean Page, an Emmy and two-time Screen Actors Guild Award nominee, stars with Cate Blanchett Michael Fassbender in director Steven Soderbergh's Black Bag.

Kat Coiro's recent directorial work includes CBS's Matlock, a series starring Emmy and Oscar winner Kathy Bates as a sharp septuagenarian lawyer who returns to her career. Coiro too earned DGA Award and Children’s and Family Emmy Award nominations for her performance in Roku’s series The Spiderwick Chronicles.

Ryan Engle has an established career as a screenwriter spanning 15 years, with credits including the films Non-Stop, The Commuter, Breaking In, Rampage, and Beast.