Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin to star in Jason Reitman's 'Labor Day'

'Juno,' 'Up in the Air' director adapting Joyce Maynard novel

By Dave Lewis Friday, Sep 9, 2011 1:15 PM

Kate Winslet

Credit: AP Photo

Oscar winner Kate Winslet and "No Country For Old Men" star Josh Brolin are set to have a strange vacation together in writer/director Jason Reitman’s upcoming "Labor Day."

Adapted by Reitman from Joyce Maynard's book of the same name, the story centers on an escaped convict (Brolin) who shacks up with a single mom (Winslet) and her young son over the three-day Labor Day weekend.

The movie will be produced by Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith of Mr. Mudd Productions, along with Reitman and Helen Estabrook of Right of Way Films. Paramount will distribute the film.

The prolific Jason Reitman, who also directed "Thank You For Smoking," and the award magnets "Juno" and "Up in the Air," will soon be releasing “Young Adult,” starring Charlize Theron. That film reunited him with "Juno" screenwriter Diablo Cody. It hits theaters on December 9, and is generating Oscar buzz for Theron (who won Best Actress for her performance in "Monster" a few years ago).

Winslet, a six-time nominee, earned an Academy Award for "The Reader." Between her upcoming films "Contagion," "Carnage," and now "Labor Day," it wouldn't be surprising if she adds another nomination to her impressive resume.

Meanwhile, Brolin was recently seen in the Coen Brothers' "True Grit," and will soon appear in "Gangster Squad" and "Men in Black III."

Dave Lewis
Producer

Dave Lewis has been a Los Angeles-based entertainment writer and editor for nearly ten years. Originally hailing from Minneapolis, he moved to L.A. in 1996 to attend USC, before working for various periodicals and web sites including a lengthy stint at Variety.com. He joined the HitFix staff in 2011.