Kathryn Hahn's "The Comeback Girl" based on Joan Rivers is canceled
by Ana Walia | Wed, 27 Oct 2021 15:18:15 GMT
Kathryn Hahn was finalized to play Joan Rivers. Image Source: Irish Cinephile 

According to Variety, the Showtime series "The Comeback Girl," is based on the life of the late legendary comedian Joan Rivers and produced by Warner Bros. Television, Atlas Entertainment, and Berlanti Productions has been canceled. Producers were unable to get Joan Rivers' life rights from her daughter, Melissa Rivers, according to the story. The sitcom would not have been able to use any of Joan's best jokes or her famous catchphrase, "Can we talk?" without this consent.

Last month, it was revealed that WandaVision actor Kathryn Hahn had been cast in the part of Joan Rivers in the film "The Comeback Girl". Greg Berlanti was set to direct and executive produce the series, which was based on a spec written by Cosmo Carlson, and she was also engaged in the project as an executive producer.

Following her brief stint as presenter of The Late Show with Joan Rivers in 1986, "The Comeback Girl", was supposed to take place in the 1980s, when the iconic comedian faced personal struggles and a career abyss. Rivers' life at that time coincided with the suicide of her husband, Edgar Rosenberg.

The Comeback Girl’s official synopsis stated, "Trailblazer. Adored. Cruel. Diva. Joan Rivers had a life like no other. At age 54, she was a superstar comedienne... and then it all fell apart. The Comeback Girl is the awe-inspiring untold story of how Joan Rivers persevered through near suicide and a professional abyss to rebuild herself and her career to become a global icon. "

There was already a backlash to the show before it was canceled. The non-Jewish Hahn's casting as Rivers was a source of controversy, with comedian Sarah Silverman speaking out against the Hollywood practice. She spoke out against the use of non-Jewish actors to play Jewish roles in television and film, warning that the practice could lead to "Jew face." Her usage of the controversial word, which refers to blackface minstrel performance, prompted quick criticism from several listeners.

Joan Rivers passed away in 2014. Image Source: Architectural Digest

The legendary comedian passed away in 2014 and Melissa Rivers announced the news in a statement, "It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother. She passed peacefully at 1:17 p.m. surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother."

In the spin-off of her characters, Kathryn Hahn, who plays Agatha Harkness in "WandaVision," is looking forward to repeating her role as the witch. Following a tremendous battle between the two sorceresses, Agatha Harkness was imprisoned in her Agnes avatar inside Wanda Maximoff's distorted West view.

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige reacted to the popular reaction to Kathryn Hahn's participation in the series, saying that it was critical for the MCU to keep introducing new characters. He said, "The comics are filled with many lifetimes of spectacular characters, and when you find the best actors to portray them, it can quickly go from an audience never hearing of a character to them being upset with us that we haven't already announced their standalone movie. And that makes us all very happy". "

Kathryn Hahn will also appear in "The Shrink Next Door," an Apple TV+ original film starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd, as well as "Knives Out 2," starring Daniel Craig.

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