Halle Bailey Joins Jesse Eisenberg’s New A24 Musical Comedy

Halle Bailey is once again showcasing her vocal talents on screen, as she’s set to join Jesse Eisenberg in his follow-up to the Oscar-winning A Real Pain, a new musical comedy from A24.

It is unknown which role Bailey will play in the as-of-yet-untitled film, which also stars Julianne Moore (May December), Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers), Havana Rose Liu (Bottoms), and Bernadette Peters (Annie). The film follows a shy woman (Moore) who is thrust into a community theater’s musical production and goes to extremes as she loses herself in the role.

Other confirmed cast members include Eldar Isgandarov, Bonnie Milligan (Head Over Heels), Colton Ryan (Dear Evan Hansen), Lilli Cooper (The SpongeBob Musical), and Maulik Pancholy (Sanjay and Craig).

In addition to directing, Eisenberg also wrote original music and lyrics for the film, which began production this April and is being produced by Emma Stone under her Fruit Tree production banner.

It will be Eisenberg’s third directorial effort, following his debut When You Finish Saving the World for A24, which also starred Moore, and A Real Pain, which he co-wrote and won Best Original Screenplay at the 97th Academy Awards, along with Best Supporting Actor for Kieran Culkin.

Meanwhile, Bailey is keeping busy with her acting career, as she’s also set to star in Italianna for Universal Pictures, alongside Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton), with Kat Coiro (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) directing.

On the other hand, she released her latest single, “Back and Forth” this past February in time for Valentine’s Day. Listen to the track below:

Ralph Regis

Lifestyle and Culture Writer

Ralph Regis is a Lifestyle and Culture Writer at Billboard Philippines, where he bridges the worlds of film, television, fashion, art, food, and cultural trends with both the local and international music scene.

He has written extensively about artist collaborations, brand partnerships, and pop culture moments that connect back to music. He also brings stories to life through in-depth interviews with musicians and personalities, drawing on their diverse perspectives, opinions, and reflections on the human condition.

In addition, Ralph also writes about music releases across a wide range of genres, including pop, hip-hop, P-pop, and rock, highlighting both rising and established artists. With a passion for storytelling that goes beyond trends, he explores how music is part of our daily lives in one form or another, connecting culture, experiences, and everything in between.

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