Universal Taps Jason Moore To Direct ‘Murder She Wrote’ Movie Starring Jamie Lee Curtis

Universal and Jamie Lee Curtis look ready to get behind the typewriter as sources tell Deadline Pitch Perfect director Jason Moore is to direct an feature adaptation of the classic TV series Murder She Wrote starring the Oscar-winner in the role made famous by Angela Lansbury. Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelowrote the screenplay based on the television series created by Peter S. Fischer and Richard Levinson & William Link.

Amy Pascal will produce along with Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Aditya Sood will produce through Lord Miller’s first look deal with Universal Pictures. Senior Vice President of Production Development Lexi Barta and Director of Production Development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project for the Studio.

Lansbury starred from 1984 to 1996 in what became one of the most successful and longest-running shows in TV history. Her Jessica Fletcher was a retired schoolteacher turned successful mystery writer, who proves to have an uncanny knack for solving real-life murders. The show was primarily set in the seaside town of Cabot Cove, Maine, though Jessica often travels to other locales as cases unfold. The show was a Sunday night staple, nominated for 41 Emmys with Lansbury nominated each year the series ran. It’s a mystery why she never won. Universal Television produced the series, created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson, and William Link. Lansbury continued the character through four telepics.

Best known for his hit comedies Pitch Perfect and Sisters, next up for Moore is directing the pilot and serving as exec producer on Elle, the Legally Blonde prequel TV series for Amazon Prime Video. This April, he will direct the revival of the Tony Award-winning Avenue Q in London’s West End. Furthermore, Moore will direct two book adaptations: Guncle based on the acclaimed bestseller by Steven Rowley, as well as Emma Straub’s novel This Time Tomorrow.

Angelo and Schuker Blum’s screenplay Dumb Money, chronicled the January 2021 GameStop short squeeze and starred  Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson, America Ferrera and Nick Offerman. Other upcoming projects include Rise, about the historic women’s national basketball team that paved the way for the creation of the WNBA.

Moore is represented by WME and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.