Irina Shayk, Emma Stone, and Chris Pine Return to the Big Screen with The Catch

Universal's star-studded romantic comedy The Catch has added two new names to its cast. Irina Shayk and comedian Chris Fleming have finalized their deals for the film.

The characters they will portray have not been disclosed. The plot of the film is also being kept under wraps for now; the only known basic framework is that it is a romantic comedy centered around baseball. Details circulating online about Emma Stone's role have not been confirmed by the studio or production team.

Shayk's Long Hiatus from Cinema is Coming to an End

One of the most recognized names in the fashion world, Shayk's acting career has been quite limited so far. She made her big screen debut in 2014 by playing Megara in Hercules, starring Dwayne Johnson, but although she has appeared in television and short-term screen projects in subsequent years, she has not taken on another major narrative film.

Therefore, The Catch signifies more than just an ordinary casting news; it marks Shayk's notable return to Hollywood cinema.

Chris Fleming is particularly known for his stand-up performances and comedy work. With Fleming's participation, the announced cast of the film also includes Emma Stone, Chris Pine, Tim Robbins, Sissy Spacek, Ashley Padilla, and Druski.

Emma Stone Takes the Lead in Her Husband's Film

The Catch will be directed by Stone's husband and long-time production partner, Dave McCary. The duo is also among the producers of the film through their company, Fruit Tree, alongside Ali Herting.

The first draft of the screenplay was written by Patrick Kang and Michael Levin. The current draft, which played a key role in Universal giving the green light to the film, was prepared by Jen Statsky, co-creator of Hacks, and Travis Helwig. Shawn Levy and Dan Levine are also involved as producers through 21 Laps.

It has been previously reported that after Stone's involvement in the project, many names were considered for the male lead, and Chris Pine was ultimately chosen after discussions.

Release Date Already Set

Universal will release The Catch in theaters on May 21, 2027. This date is also included in the studio's official calendar.

Although the cast continues to grow, Universal is not revealing the film's main story or the relationships between the characters. For now, the most striking new element is Irina Shayk: her film career, which began with Hercules but did not continue, is being revived years later with a major studio film led by Stone and Pine.