The project was penned by Nora Ephron, but it had been put on hold after Ephron's death in 2012. Doug Wright, who wrote the play I Am My Own Wife, as well as the books for the musicals Grey Gardens, The Little Mermaid and Hands on a Hardbody, has completed a rewrite of the screenplay.

Academy Award nominee Todd Haynes, who has helmed "Far from Heaven" and "Mildred Pierce," will direct the film. He also helmed the Bob Dylan biopic "I'm Not There" and the segment "I'm Still Here" for the TV movie "Six by Sondheim."

Marc Platt, who produced Witherspoon's two "Legally Blonde" films, is producing.

Some of Witherspoon's numerous screen credits include "Wild," "Water for Elephants," "Vanity Fair" and "Pleasantville."

Ephron is a three-time Academy Award nominee for the screenplays of "Sleepless in Seattle," "When Harry Met Sally" and "Silkwood." She wrote the play Lucky Guy, which played Broadway following her death, as well as Imaginary Friends and Love, Loss and What I Wore with her sister Deila. 

Lee was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in "Pete Kelly's Blues." She wrote the lyrics for "Don't Be Mean to Baby," "Don't Smoke in Bed" and "Then Was Then" with Cy Coleman, among others. She wrote "He's a Tramp" for the animated Disney movie "Lady and the Tramp," in which she also voiced several of the characters. She died in 2002.